Hudsons
Patent.
American
Henry Hudson's portable machine was patented in the UK in 1865.
Many surviving examples feature a bobbin holder mounted just
below the handle, unlike the 'enclosed within handle' bobbin
in the patent itself. I'll quote from the specifications the
manner of operation, and the bold claims for the machine's potential
versatility :-
"The
work must be supported so as to leave a space immediately under
the machine in order to allow the needle and looper to pass
through. The machine is held lightly upon the work and the motion
of the needle and looper causes it to travel along the edge.
If desired a cam plate etc. may be substituted for the disc-crank
arrangement D. Instead of the crank handle F, a roughened wheel
may be arranged to roll on the work as the machine is pushed
forwards and drive the disc D by toothed gearing etc. By substituting
a needle for the looper C1 and slightly modifying the cams etc.,
a lock stitch may be formed."
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