Industrial sewing machines played a critical part in World War II; items produced using industrial machines include trousers, shirts, shoes, overcoats. flying suits, underwear, tents, sleeping bags, blankets, straps and harnesses, instrument covers, and tarpaulins.

1941 - With the grace and dexterity of a master dressmaker, this young woman fabricates "pup" tents for the expanding war army at the Langdon Tent & Awning Company. Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Digital Archives.

 

1943 - A repairman works on a Singer sewing machine at the Pacific Parachute Company, San Diego, California. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

1941 - Women workers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, turning out National and signal flags for the expanding Navy. Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Digital Archives.

1941- Rigging and inspecting of 8-man pyramidal tents which are being manufactured to rigid Army Quartermaster Corps specifications at the Schaeffer Tent & Awning Company. Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Digital Archives.

The majority of industrial sewing machines required for war work were existing models made and sold to the needle trade. However, specialty machines were also needed in large quantities. For example, production of the Class 7 (model 31) machine, a heavy machine designed for leather and canvas, increased from 2 to 3 per week to as many as 40 per week. Production of the Class 97 machine, used for heavy leather up to one-inch thick, increased from 10 or 15 per year to 10 or 12 a  week.

Model 31SV52, complete with stand, table and sewing materials, was developed for use at front-line stations and inaccessible outposts. The machine was dropped by parachute to personnel in the field where it was used to repair clothing, tents, camouflage material, and other items.

Industrial models produced included:

• 7-31 for stitching tents, tarpaulins, etc.
• 31SV53 dropped by parachute, for general repair work
• 17-16 with phosphor bronze fittings for quilting ignition pads
• 241-3 with phosphor bronze fittings for stitching ignition pads
• 97-10 for stitching parachute harnesses
• 68-6 for sewing buttons on Army and Navy clothing, ponchos, overalls,etc.
• 69-8 for tacking Army and Navy uniforms, oiled clothing, overalls, etc.
• 144W for mending uniforms and articles of heavy canvas, it was installed in different vehicles as a mobile unit and used at various fronts
  

 

Singer Model 7-31, serial number AG413031 (May 26, 1942) shown during an auction at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Singer Model 241-3, serial number AG063194 (July 15, 1941).

Singer Model 144W, serial number W1394357 shown during an auction at Fort Stewart, Georgia in the spring of 2001.

WWII Medical Tentage and Related Parts

The following is a partial list of supplies associated with a WWII hospital ward tent:

MACHINE, SEWING, MOTOR-OPERATED, COMPLETE, MEDIUM HEAVY DUTY, 61-W-156, SINGLE PHASE, Stock No 66-M-975 – sewing machine used for stitching light and medium weight fabrics

MACHINE, SEWING, MOTOR-OPERATED, COMPLETE, MEDIUM HEAVY DUTY, 111-W-153, SINGLE PHASE, Stock No 66-M-978 – sewing machine used for stitching light tentage and webbing

MACHINE, SEWING, MOTOR-OPERATED, COMPLETE, MEDIUM HEAVY DUTY, UN-S M-61-300, SINGLE PHASE, Stock No 66-M-979 – sewing machine used for trimming and overedging blankets and other fabrics

MACHINE, SEWING, MOTOR-OPERATED, COMPLETE, OVEREDGE, MERROW, 3AW, SINGLE PHASE, Stock No 66-M-981 – sewing machine used for trimming and overedging blankets and other fabrics

MACHINE, SEWING, MOTOR-OPERATED, COMPLETE, OVEREDGE, SINGER 81-23, SINGLE PHASE, Stock No 66-M-981-80 - sewing machine used for trimming and overedging blankets and other fabrics

MACHINE, SEWING, MOTOR-OPERATED, COMPLETE, OVEREDGE, SINGER 81-72, SINGLE PHASE, Stock No 66-M-982 - sewing machine used for trimming and overedging fabrics

Sources: Singer in World War II - 1939 to 1945, Singer Manufacturing Company, USA, 1946; Franklin D. Roosevelt Archives & Digital Library; Library of Congress.; Army Service Forces, Quartermaster Supply Catalog QM 3-4 - List of Items for Issue to Troops, Miscellaneous Organizational Equipment (formerly Section V, Miscellaneous), U.S. Government Printing Office, 1945; WWII Combat Medic by David Steinert.