Petersburg Pilot -

Industrial sewing machines, also known as cobblers or "shoe patchers," were used to repair such things as shoes, harnesses, leather bags and for furrier's work. Renowned for its mechanical ingenuity and enduring design, the Singer 29-4 was released in the 1890s. Its top-feed mechanism represents a pivotal era in the evolution of sewing machines as it enabled the work to be moved in any direction, allowing the operator to reach deep into the toe of a boot and to easily sew through layers of thick material.

This sewing machine likely came from Mr. Elllingsen's shop, Expert Shoe Repair in the...