US32035A - Improvement in hemmers for hand-sewing - Google Patents

Description

1. 0. WHITCOMB.

Hand Hemmer.

Patented April 9, 1861.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J. O. WVHITCOMB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JOSEPH DODIN, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HEMIVlERS FOR HAND-SEWING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 32,035, dated April 9, 1861.

ings.

My improved hemmer is composed of two plates and a flexible strap, one plate resembling in most respects the-hem-folder used in sewing-machines, and being attached to the other plate, which is of such form that by the aid ofthe strap placed on the thumb it may be held inthe left hand in such manner that the cloth to be hemmed may be worked freely through it by that hand to effect the folding of the hem as fast as the stitching is proceeded with by the needle used in the right hand.

Figure 1 in the drawings is a perspective View of'the hemmer complete. Fig. 2 illustrates the manner in which it is held in the hand in hemming. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the folder detached. Fig. 4 is a top view of the plate A, to which the folder is attached, and by which it is held. Fig. 5.is a side view of the said plate with the thumbstrap attached.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The form and construction of the plate Aarc illustrated in the Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The principal portion (6 b of the said plate is made fiat, and of sufficient size to enable it to have a proper support upon the first and second fingersof the left hand and to forma bearing for the fabric whilethe hem is being folded. From the back of this portion a b, even with one side thereof, there extends a narrow tongue, 0, which is curved to fit the thumb, and to which is attached the thumb-strap B, of indiaru bber webbing, tape,or other elastic or flexible material, of suitable size to fit the thumb,and

- on that side of the said portion ab next to which the said tongue 0 is situated a portion, d, of the plate is turnedover the said portion a I such port-ion at being flat and nearly close to and parallel with a I). From that portion of a b opposite to which at is situated a piece, 0,

mers. The scrollfis raised entirely above a flat portion, 9, of the said plate, which is intended to slip between the portion a b and the .portion 61 of the plate A, and is made with two lips,jj, tofit over the edges of and clasp the portion (1. This construction of the folder is to enable it to be attached to and detached from the plate A, as it is intended to use folders of different sizes, according to the various widths of the hem desired.

In order to provide for the hemmer being managed with the left hand when the hem is once started, an opening, '5 i, is made in the upper part of the scroll f, to expose the portion of the fabric within the scroll to be acted upon by the thumb of the left hand for the purpose of feedingthe fabric forward.

fTo use the hemmer, the thumb-strap B is slipped on to the left thumb far enough to allow the end of the said thumb to enter the opening 11 i, as shown in Fig. 2, and the rest 0 to pass between the first and second fingers. The edge ofthe fabric to be hemmed is then inserted between the plate A and the scroll of the folder, leaving about one inch of the edge protruding from the front end of the folder, and the fabric is drawn backward by taking hold of it with the thumband torefinger of the left hand behind the rest 0,-while willi the right hand the edge isturned over the first turn of the folder until it appears through the aperture 7 'i. The end of the thumb of the left hand is then'placed on that'portion ofthefabric exposed through the opening 1i t, and by moving the thumb forward in an oblique direc tion over the edge of the fabric the latter,'adhering to the thumb and slipping over the metal, is caused to pass under the second and last turn of the scroll of the folder, thus con1- pleting the folding of-the hem. By repeating this movementof the thumb the fabric is urged forward as last as required for sewing and the hem folded as the forward movement of supporting the fabric While the hem is folded,

the clothis proceeded with. The sewing is 2. Providing an opening, i i, in the scroll 0t performed as the fabric passes over the forethe folder for the admission of the end of the finger after leaving the folder. thumb, substantially as and for the purpose I do not claim the hem-folder composed ofa herein specified.

flattened scroll; but

What I claim as myinvention,and desire to J. O. WHITCOMB. secure by Letters Patent, is- I l 1. The plate A, with its rest 6, tonguec, and thumb-strap B-for holding the folder 0 and Witnesses:

JAMES LAIRD, M. M .LIVINGSTON.

substantially as herein described. l

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