The Sewing Machine

Natalie Fergie has written a book that uses one sewing machine as the unifying element throughout her story. I'm often disheartened about the difficult life women had 100 years ago and that certainly comes through in this novel. However, the women in her novel typify resilience despite the conditions, both moral and physical, that they endure.

Interesting storyline. The sewing machine is the glue that holds this story together. The story follows 4 families, of different eras. Though each chapter title identifies the individual and the year, it was difficult for me to keep them straight.

I highly recommend alternating reading and audible. Hearing the Scottish accents adds so much to each character in the book.
I appreciated the depth created for each character, the history that spans almost 100 years, the gentleness and warmth of this story and how the author brings each character to life. A very, very dear book to read. I will remember it fondly.

This story is told by different characters over the period of a century, and there were times I found myself trying to connect the characters without enough information yet. I think I held on primarily because I love antique sewing machines and the old-time home arts that were a necessity then. This book doesn’t disappoint there. Plus, I was invested early on and wanted to get the connections defined.

There were some terms used I didn’t quite understand (as an American), but overall it was an entertaining read for me.

The Sewing Machine is a lovely mystery with a live story entangled with lives of many characters.. The sewing machine weaves or sews a fabulous story of three generations that are connected by women and men that use the machine to survive!

I enjoyed this story--a little history, a little family, and a little mystery. It's well thought-out and put together to draw you from point A in 1911 to point B in 2016, connecting them through the families that are touched by one particular Singer sewing machine. Intriguing premise, interesting characters, and researched history. Recommended.

I really enjoyed the characters, the plot, and even the little 'twist' at the end. I am a quilter, so I was happy the author knew her stuff - she got everything right. I highly recommend this as a summer read. Sewing machines like this one are highly sought after now, it was fun imagining who owned my old singer sewing machine - what it's history was.

I love books that take you back and forth between characters,and time. This journey was so much more than I though it would be! I enjoyed the way the sewing machine was used throughout the story. I loved the most of the characters. A few were disliked but thankfully short lived. Honestly, I couldn't put this book down, I was captivated. I recommend this book.

At times a bit confusing,but after awhile everything starts flowing. My interest in sewing made me order this book. I am so glad I did. The history was very interesting and the characters were so real. I felt like I knew each and everyone of them. Thank you so much Natalie Fergie.

A truly lovely story, historical and full of warmth, living characters you want more of. The back and forth of inter-generational history. I really enjoyed living with them and how sweetly the end wraps it up into a nice package tied with old string.

Loved the way this book brought together the Singer plant strike, War, and generations of struggle/fulfillment. Yes, sometimes a bit pat, but a fascinating glimpse into years gone by, providing a realistic glimpse as to how everyday life might have been.

Being a sewing enthusiast myself, and Scottish, I gyrated toward this book quite naturally, I think. And then was captivated by the history, the generations, the personalities. This would be an excellent choice for a book club!

I liked the connection to the sewing machine and loved the people in the book. I also like that the book spared many years and generations.
I prefer a book with one story instead of jumping around different characters and different years.

The treasured sewing machine, passed along through generations of users, enabling them to earn a living and create memories. The machine bore witness to the struggles of non-union factory workers, the anguish of the loss of a child, and then beloved grandparents. There is hope and triumph. Skillfully stitching together the lives of all the characters the author brings the story to a satisfactory close.

Great historical novel. I was a little confused in the beginning about who was speaking, but soon understood the three timelines.
The lives of 3+ families who were involved in the sewing machine spanned almost 90 years. This was a good reminder that some things were made to last.

I really enjoyed this story! Not only has my family always used Singer machines, but these machines provided us a way to stretch our checks by mending and even sewing our own clothes. Glad the heroine in this story did too!

I will have to read this again to truly understand and follow the story lines. It will be better the next time.....because I will know what to look for. Each of the characters is well developed and largely sympathetic. My mother had one of the Singer machines the the story revolves around.
Also, I love the British language usage.

After I figured out how the story was written, the chapters being the years it was a very interesting book. Love the time invested in the research for it. Made it come alive. I love looking up other countries.

I enjoyed this story very much as it included some history of the Singer corporation and the workers who tried to make changes. The story went down thru the ages of families and how they became attached to their Singer sewing machines.

Story of connections throughout time and family. Three stories intertwine. Hard-working women, doing their best. Likeable characters, family secrets, interesting periods and historical events included.

It has wonderful history, love, hope and goodness. It reminded me of learning to see on my granny singer treacle sewing machine. I remembered the cloths she made me and how she too added to the family income with her singer sewing machine, getting a new electric one when I was about nine yrs old. A wonderful story of families.

This book was very interesting, it’s not just another romance novel. The author did an excellent job fleshing out each of the characters, and weaving their stories together. I actually own my grandmother’s Singer sewing machine, and that made me feel like the story could have been about me or someone in my family tree.

This was an interesting book. I enjoyed reading the historical information about England and the development of industry, from the perspective of workers. I became confused regarding the many characters and moving between centuries in time. While the outcome is perceived as a happy one, i didn't have the energy to re-read the novel, to straighten out the relationships.

This is an excellent book, well-written and more absorbing as the story progresses. I was interested in the character connections. An example of how our lives intersect and influence others through the years.

Many lives being touched by one object. What a following and story to be told. The author must have had a hard time placing the chapters to keep the story moving... I enjoyed and hope someone else will too.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I did find the beginning frustrating because of all the back and forth and different characters. I understand why it was needed but would like to have seen more time spent with a character before changing to the next one.

The Sewing Machine is an mind-active story of generations in the 20th century. Most of the characters are developed to an appreciation level. I enjoyed reading this book for the relationships. Parents children, down through the years. Values are wonderful to experience in this loving way.

I really loved this book. As a seamstress myself - also now known as a 'sewist', this book fascinated me with the history of the sewing machine and the trail of characters it was handled by that spanned several generations. A very good story woven around a sewing machine.

I loved this novel from the first page! The story itself is wonderful. Generations of family using and recording the use of a single sewing machine. The stories behind the things constructed and the wonderful ending that shows that everything really does come full circle

I enjoyed the read while remembering my mom and her sewing machine. A peddle model first and then the electric one. She made so many of my clothes right through my teens. Then I married in 1950 and my husband bought a Singer for me. Loved sewing for my girls. Now at 87 do not do much, but machine still does well after 65 years. Many lovely memories attached to it.

This was a great read. I loved learning about some of the history of Singer sewing machines. The idea of keeping a book of projects was fascinating. Had a tough time understanding some of the locations since I am unfamiliar with England and some of their terminology. I loved how the author tied everything up in the end.

This well written, sometimes confusing families' drama is well worth the reading. Very imaginative too and stories of real people living through two world wars, and beyond. It made for several pleasant afternoons reading for me, and all surrounding a sewing machine!

I love this story. Guess because my grandmother sewed for the public her entire life and then she started making quilt tops in her later 70’s. Piecing quilts kept her mind sharp till she passed away at 96. This story made me think of her so much. A very good read!