Home Sewing Machines: Early Sewing Machines in China

[Graduation Photo" of Likang Sewing School Students
The sewing machine was invented by the Germans in the early 19th century, roughly the same time as the bicycle. On the title page of this Likang brand sewing machine advertisement book that i have collected, there is a fragmented photo of the Likang sewing machine factory. From the relevant description, we can know that the German Likang sewing machine factory is located in Durlach, Germany. According to the it said that, it has been in operation for more than 80 years (according to calculations, when it was opened around 1830), in 1914, the factory covered an area of more than 100 acres, with 5,752 workers and 560 clerks. It can be called the largest sewing machine in the world at that time. manufacturing plant.When was the sewing machine introduced to China? I can`t find the exact basis. The printing time of the advertisement book is Jiayin, the third year of the Republic of China, that is, 1914 AD. According to the advertisement, Likang has established Likang sewing machine distribution offices in 13 cities and towns in China, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hankou, Qingdao, Jiaozhou, Jinan, Nanchang, Ningbo, Shaoxing, Weixian, Zhoucun, Shahe, and Jimo. . That is to say, in China in 1914, the German Likang brand sewing machine was widely used, so the introduction of sewing machines into China should be much earlier than 1914. Of course, its promotion speed is slow, which depends on the restructuring of Chinese clothing. The overthrow of the Qing government and the establishment of the Republic of China government, the introduction of Chinese tunic suits and suits, provided a catalyst for the widespread use of sewing machines by the ChineseThere is an advertisement for sewing machines in the advertisement book: [Since the founding of the Republic of China, everything has been renovated, that is, Western-style clothes have been used throughout the country, and they are very convenient. It is a pity that there is no way to make them, so Western-style clothes are used daily. It must be purchased from the store. This kind of convenience is really huge and difficult to export. Only by creating various sewing machines, which can make hundreds of Chinese and Western clothes, can be completed immediately, and the fineness and sturdiness of the pieces are especially superior. 10,000 times more handmade-" The introduction of sewing machines in China began in tailor shops in the home industry, and then there were bulk purchases in large and medium-sized garment processing factories. The Chinese comprador of Likang Yanghang wrote [Industry Theory" in the advertising book, advocating the strategy of strengthening the country and enriching the people through industry. Opportunity, that is, you will get endless benefits, and even save your unique rights, where is the wealthy country and wealthy family?!" Even today, this comprador`s theory of saving the country by industry is still inciting some regions in China to set up garment factories.Likang`s Chinese comprador deserves to be a business-minded businessman. In this advertising book, he also wrote an easy-to-read and easy-to-remember [Three Character Classic" advertising slogan: [The sewing machine was invented by Germany. . Universal earth, famous and famous. Easy to use, easy to learn. First class, Likang goods. Don`t jump the thread, don`t break the needle. Clothes, shoes and socks can be made. Leather, etc., the sewing is excellent. Landscape, embroidery True. Flowers can also be made in time. If you don`t believe it, you can come here. Good and bad, self-assessment. Warranty policy, scheduled for use. Repairs are included within seven years. Men and women teachers, teaching methods. Points. It is limited to October, and it will be cleared one after another. If you are patronized, please order in person."
The current price of the Likang Model 28 household foot pedal sewing machine with a cover and a bucket listed in the photo is 54 yuan. In order to attract customers, the merchants listed a seven-year warranty and held sewing training courses in various places. Customers who purchased sewing machines can sign up for the training nearby. The Likang Sewing Machine Boys School listed in the photo is located on the third floor of Likang Yangxing Head Office, No. 116, Sichuan Road, British Concession, Shanghai. It can be seen that the sales of Likang sewing machines in China were booming at that time. Many Chinese children had no money to go to school, so they worked hard to learn sewing technology as a craft for eating.
Until the 1970s and 1980s, sewing machines were still among the four most important items for Chinese people to get married with three revolutions (bicycles, sewing machines, electric fans) and one ring (radio). Shanghai`s bee brand, butterfly brand (early called invincible brand) sewing machines have long been required to supply by ticket. Roughly since the 1990s, buying ready-to-wear clothing has become a Chinese clothing habit, and sewing machines have gradually withdrawn from the family. Many small tailor shops have also been merged by large garment factories. The garment workers use electric sewing machines, and the once prosperous household sewing machine factories have to switch to production.