British  Patent

GB 8.948/1841       Edward Newton & Thomas Archbold

Producing ornamental or tambour work in the manufacture of gloves.

In England, Edward Newton and Thomas Archbold invented and patented a machine on May 4, 1841, for tambouring or ornamenting the backs of gloves.

Their machine used a hook on the upper surface to catch the loop of thread, but an eye-pointed needle from underneath was used to carry the thread up through the fabric. The machine was designed to use three needles for three rows of chain stitching, if required. Although the machine was capable of stitching two fabrics together, it was never contemplated as a sewing machine in the present use of the term. Their British patent 8.948 stated it was for improvements in producing ornamental or tambour work in the manufacture of gloves.

May 4, 1841

Edward Newton, of Leicester, manufacturer and Thomas Archbold, of the same place, machinist, for improvements in producing ornamental or tambour work, in the manufacture of gloves.—Sealed 4th May—6 months for inrolment.