A History of Luton by Anne Allsopp

Author:Anne Allsopp
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The History Press

50-4 Photographs of the hat factory of Wing, Arnold and Wing: dyeing, stiffening, blocking, machining and trimming.

For many years, all the sewing was done by hand. The invention of sewing machines in the 1860s was very important for the women of Luton. In many industries, for example the cotton and wool trades, the arrival of machinery forced domestic and small work units out of business, but in Luton this did not happen. Homeworkers were able to buy or hire sewing machines and housewives throughout the town would machine, particularly in the busy season from February to May.

In the second half of the 19th century hat making could be found in three types of production units: homes, small businesses and large factories. There was the old cottage industry scene where, in the busy season, hats could be seen ‘drying in front of the fire and on the sitting-room tables and chairs’ while the lady of the house was busy sewing or machining. Then there were the family businesses set up for very little outlay where it was possible for makers to become quite prosperous, especially if they were fortunate enough to produce a successful design. Often, behind what appeared to be an ordinary house, there would be a two-storeyed extension. The lower floor would take the blocking machinery (blocking was the shaping of hats) with the heavy work being done by men, and the sewers would work upstairs. Hat making was a predominantly female occupation but, as well as blocking, men and boys would help with transporting the hats.

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