Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Robbie Fanning Sewing Arts Collection
Fanning, Robbie
NMAH.AC.1139
Archival Resource Key
5 Cubic feet
13 boxes
1903-2002
bulk 1993-2002
The collection documents materials gathered by Robbie Fanning, publisher of sewing related books and newsletters and includes the history of major sewing machine brands, machine accessories, machine embroidery, machine needles, thread, binding, interfacing, and other sewing notions.
English
.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into one series.
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Scope and Contents
Archival materials on the subject of sewing and sewing machines, including correspondence, Fanning's subject files, photographs, newsletters, product manuals, catalogs, trade literature, articles, reprints, sewing periodicals, and VHS videos.
Preferred Citation
Robbie Fanning Sewing Arts Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Donated to the Archives Center in 2008 by Robbie Fanning.
Biographical / Historical
Robbie Fanning (b. 1947-) of Menlo Park, California, a former journalism teacher, she started a publishing company called Open Chain Publishing, specializing in sewing books. She published a quarterly newsletter called
The Creative Machine aimed at helping the sewing hobbyist learn new sewing techniques, review sewing equipment and products, and pose questions to the sewing industry. The newsletter ceased publication in 2002. The collection as a whole depicts the shift from sewing as a necessity to clothe a family or save money to sewing as a creative outlet for women and men with leisure time.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Andrea Bishop, intern, and Eric Ross, intern, 2018.
Related Materials
Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Books related to sewing and books authored by Robbie Fanning.
Machine quilting
Clothing and dress
Publications
Trade catalogs
Correspondence -- 2000-2010
Sewing machines
Sewing
Quilting
Pamphlets
Newsletters
Manuals
Correspondence -- 20th century
Photographs -- 2000-2010
Photographs -- 1980-2000
Periodicals
Videocassettes
Aardvark Territorial Enterprise
Archival Resource Key
1985-1987
13
1-2
Accessories
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
1
Alteration Pattern
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
2
American Sewing Guild
Archival Resource Key
1993-2000
1
3
Antique Sewing Machines
Archival Resource Key
1992-2002
1
4
Antique Sewing Machines
Archival Resource Key
1903-2002
1
5
Antique Sewing Machine Museum
Archival Resource Key
1993-1994
1
6
Applique
Archival Resource Key
1999
1
7
Archer-Finesse
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
8
Art of Sewing
Archival Resource Key
1992
1
9
Audrey's Personal Programs Series 1-3
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
10
Babylock
Archival Resource Key
1995
1
11
Batting
Archival Resource Key
1992-1994
1
12
Batting (Manufacturers)
Archival Resource Key
1993
1
13
Beacon Fabric & Notions
Archival Resource Key
1997
1
14
Bemberg
Archival Resource Key
1939
1
15
Bernette
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
16
Bernina
Archival Resource Key
1983-2001
1
17
Bernina
Archival Resource Key
1983-2001
2
1
Bernina of America, Inc.
Archival Resource Key
1988-2002
2
2
Binding
Archival Resource Key
1980-1993
2
3
Blind Hemmer
Archival Resource Key
1993-1994
2
4
Bobble
Archival Resource Key
1999-2000
2
5
Boyle, Helen
Archival Resource Key
2007
2
6
Boyle, Helen
Archival Resource Key
1987
2
7
Brother
Archival Resource Key
1993-2001
2
8
Brother
Archival Resource Key
1993-2001
2
9
Book Plan
Archival Resource Key
1997
2
10
Butterick
Archival Resource Key
2001
2
11
Buttons
Archival Resource Key
1994-2001
2
12
Buttonholes
Archival Resource Key
1989-1998
3
1
Buttonholes
Archival Resource Key
1994
3
2
California Academy of Sewing
Archival Resource Key
2000
3
3
Canadian Collectors Society
Archival Resource Key
2000
3
4
Child Sewing Machine
Archival Resource Key
1996
3
5
Computer Sewing Machines
Archival Resource Key
1987
3
6
Concord Sewing Center
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
7
The Creative Machine
Archival Resource Key
1995-2002
3
8
Crochet
Archival Resource Key
2001
3
9
Crystal Palace
Archival Resource Key
1980
3
10
Sewing for the Disabled
Archival Resource Key
1998-2001
3
11
Dealer Advertising Text
Archival Resource Key
1996-1998
3
12
Dealer Advisory Council
Archival Resource Key
1995-1997
3
13
Dean, Sandra
Archival Resource Key
2000
3
14
Design-A-Quilt
Archival Resource Key
1990
3
15
Disabled
Archival Resource Key
1997-1999
3
16
Digitizing
Archival Resource Key
2000
3
17
Ease Plus
Archival Resource Key
2001
3
18
Educators-Round-up
Archival Resource Key
1992-1993
3
19
Elastics
Archival Resource Key
1991-1995
3
20
Elna
Archival Resource Key
1982-2007
4
1
Elna
Archival Resource Key
1982-2001
4
2
Embroidery
Archival Resource Key
1996-2001
4
3
Embroidery Artists
Archival Resource Key
1995
4
4
Encyclopedia of the Sewing Machine
Archival Resource Key
1982-2002
4
5
Encyclopedia of the Sewing Machine
Archival Resource Key
1982-2001
4
6
Ergonomics
Archival Resource Key
1992-1994
4
7
Esante
Archival Resource Key
1994
4
8
Euro-Pro
Archival Resource Key
1998
4
9
Fanning Articles
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
10
Fashion Fabrics, John Douthait
Archival Resource Key
1991-2000
4
11
Favorite Stitches
Archival Resource Key
1997
4
12
Featherweight
Archival Resource Key
1993
4
13
Feet
Archival Resource Key
1993-2001
4
14
Finishing
Archival Resource Key
1991-1994
4
15
Funny Stories
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
16
"G"
Archival Resource Key
1994-1995
4
17
Golden Oldies
Archival Resource Key
1999-2000
4
18
Graphics
Archival Resource Key
1996
4
19
Great American Needlework
Archival Resource Key
1984
4
20
Great Notions
Archival Resource Key
1997
5
1
Heim, Judy
Archival Resource Key
1998-1999
5
2
Heirloom-Machines
Archival Resource Key
1994
5
3
Heirloom Sewing
Archival Resource Key
1993-1994
5
4
Hems
Archival Resource Key
1995-1996
5
5
History-Me
Archival Resource Key
1950-1985
5
6
Hooper
Archival Resource Key
2000
5
7
Industrial Machines
Archival Resource Key
1994
5
8
Interfacings
Archival Resource Key
1992-1996
5
9
Irons
Archival Resource Key
1987-2001
5
10
Irons-MFG Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1993-1995
5
11
Irons, Steam Chamber
Archival Resource Key
1996-1997
5
12
ISMACS
Archival Resource Key
1992
5
13
Johnson's Ruffler
Archival Resource Key
1985
5
14
Janome
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
15
Juki
Archival Resource Key
1996
5
16
KanScan
Archival Resource Key
1993-1996
5
17
Knit and Sew
Archival Resource Key
2000
5
18
Know Your Machine
Archival Resource Key
1982-1986
5
19
Lettering Programs
Archival Resource Key
1999
5
20
London S-M Museum
Archival Resource Key
2001
5
21
Lopez, Carla
Archival Resource Key
1992-1993
5
22
Machines
Archival Resource Key
1991-1992
5
23
Machine Lingo
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
24
Machine/Magazine
Archival Resource Key
1976-1995
6
1
Machine Skinny
Archival Resource Key
1999-2000
6
2
Margolis, Adele
Archival Resource Key
2000-2001
6
3
Measurements
Archival Resource Key
2002
6
4
Messages
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
5
Metrics, SPI. Young Style Sheet
Archival Resource Key
1992
6
6
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1999-2001
6
7
Necchi
Archival Resource Key
1985-1986
6
8
Needles
Archival Resource Key
1992-2001
6
9
Needlecase
Archival Resource Key
1992
6
10
Needle Plates
Archival Resource Key
1996-1997
6
11
Needlework/Cross Stitch
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
12
New Home
Archival Resource Key
1985-2001
6
13
New Home
Archival Resource Key
1985-2001
6
14
New Home
Archival Resource Key
1985-2001
6
15
OmniStitch
Archival Resource Key
1995-1996
6
16
Open Chain
Archival Resource Key
1997
6
17
Paris Connection
Archival Resource Key
undated
7
1
Pattern Co. History
Archival Resource Key
1996
7
2
Peninsula Quilters Gazette
Archival Resource Key
1993
7
3
Perfect Sew
Archival Resource Key
undated
7
4
Period Pavilions
Archival Resource Key
1982
7
5
PFAFF
Archival Resource Key
1976-1994
7
6
Pioneers
Archival Resource Key
undated
7
7
Photos-Old
Archival Resource Key
1997
7
8
Photos-Old
Archival Resource Key
1997
7
10
Pface to InterPface
Archival Resource Key
1995-1998
7
11
Pockets, Design & Sew
Archival Resource Key
1997-2000
7
12
Pockets, Design & Sew
Archival Resource Key
1997-2000
7
13
Possible Illustrators
Archival Resource Key
1989-1995
7
14
Possible Illustators
Archival Resource Key
1989-1995
8
1
Portable Machines
Archival Resource Key
1987-2000
8
2
Professional Quilting
Archival Resource Key
1985-1994
8
3
4. Q/Pressure Foot
Archival Resource Key
1992-1994
8
4
Quilter's Mate
Archival Resource Key
1999-2000
8
5
Quilter's Newsletter
Archival Resource Key
1999-2000
8
6
Quilting
Archival Resource Key
1996-1999
8
7
Reader's Work
Archival Resource Key
1988-2000
8
8
Resizing Programs
Archival Resource Key
2000
8
9
Riccar
Archival Resource Key
1973-1982
8
10
Rivers, Lucille
Archival Resource Key
1999-2001
8
11
Round Bobbin
Archival Resource Key
1996-1999
13
3
Schlingerfanger, Der
Archival Resource Key
1997
8
12
Schmetz
Archival Resource Key
undated
8
13
Schmetz
Archival Resource Key
2001
8
14
Scissors
Archival Resource Key
1992-1993
9
1
Sculpting
Archival Resource Key
1999
9
2
Serger
Archival Resource Key
1992-1997
9
3
Sew-E-Z
Archival Resource Key
1998-2000
9
4
Sew News
Archival Resource Key
1986-1991
9
5
Sew On...Sew Forth
Archival Resource Key
1999-2002
13
4
Sew Tech
Archival Resource Key
2001
9
6
Sew Well
Archival Resource Key
1998-2000
9
7
Sew What
Archival Resource Key
undated
9
8
Sewing Articles
Archival Resource Key
1988-1992
9
9
Sewing Machine Repair
Archival Resource Key
1999-2001
9
10
Sewing Like A Star
Archival Resource Key
1989
9
11
Sewing Update
Archival Resource Key
1992-1993
9
12
Shirley Holmes Sashiko
Archival Resource Key
1993-2000
9
13
Sideways
Archival Resource Key
1995
9
14
Simplicity Sewing Machine
Archival Resource Key
undated
9
15
Singer Company
Archival Resource Key
1984-2000
9
16
Singer Company
Archival Resource Key
1984-2000
9
17
Software Comparison
Archival Resource Key
1994-2000
9
18
Stabilizers
Archival Resource Key
1997-1999
9
19
Standard Co.
Archival Resource Key
1987
9
20
Stitches
Archival Resource Key
1993-1997
9
21
Sussex Sewing Machines
Archival Resource Key
2000
9
22
Talcony
Archival Resource Key
1995-2001
10
1
Technicians' Corner
Archival Resource Key
1997-1998
10
2
Techniques
Archival Resource Key
undated
10
3
Thought Provokers
Archival Resource Key
1970-1979
10
4
Threads
Archival Resource Key
1984-2001
10
5
Threads
Archival Resource Key
1984-2001
10
6
Thread Update
Archival Resource Key
1992-1993
10
7
Total Embellishment
Archival Resource Key
1997-2001
10
8
Toy Stitchers
Archival Resource Key
1992
10
9
Treadle
Archival Resource Key
2000
10
10
Truman
Archival Resource Key
1997
10
11
Viking
Archival Resource Key
1985-2002
10
12-13
Viking Convention
Archival Resource Key
1995-1996
10
14
Viking Husqvarna
Archival Resource Key
1991-2000
11
1-3
Viking Owner's Manual
Archival Resource Key
2001
11
4
Viking White
Archival Resource Key
1986-1995
11
5
Vintage Fashions
Archival Resource Key
2000-2001
11
6
Women's Day Mag.
Archival Resource Key
1994
11
7
Website-Old Machines
Archival Resource Key
2000
11
8
Wrapping
Archival Resource Key
1997-1999
11
9
Yo-yo's
Archival Resource Key
1997
11
10
Zippers
Archival Resource Key
1999
11
11
PFAFF PC Designer Software, Volume 1
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
1996
12
1
PFAFF PC Designer Software, Volume 2
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
1996
12
2
PFAFF Creative 7570, Volume 1
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
1996
12
3
PFAFF Creative 7570, Volume 2
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
1996
12
4
The Myra Coles hands-on guide to Sewing Machine Feet and Techniques
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
12
5
Elna 945 Serger
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
12
6
How to Service Your Own Sewing Machine Featherweight H-1
Archival Resource Key
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
undated
12
7