Merrow Sewing Machine Company

Merrow Sewing Machine Company is an American manufacturer of industrial sewing equipment with roots in a nineteenth-century knitting enterprise founded by Joseph Makens Merrow in Connecticut. The company is particularly associated with the invention and development of the crochet or overlock machine, equipment used to finish fabric edges, create decorative borders, join textile panels, and produce specialized seams. Its history links early American textile manufacturing with the evolution of dedicated industrial machinery for hosiery and apparel production. Merrow's origins followed the destruction of Joseph Makens Merrow's gunpowder mill in 1837. In 1838, Merrow and his son established a knitting mill on the former mill site, using nearby water power. The business initially produced hosiery and other knitted goods from wool and later cotton. A machine shop was created to maintain and improve the mill's equipment. The company eventually developed crochet machines to replace hand-finishing work on the tops of men's socks. These machines became sufficiently useful and distinctive that Merrow began selling them to other textile manufacturers rather than using them only internally. The enterprise operated under several partnership and corporate names during the nineteenth century, including Joseph M. Merrow & Sons, Pitkin, Merrow & Co., Merrow Manufacturing Co., Merrow and Millard, and J.B. Merrow and Sons. After the knitting mill was destroyed by fire in 1887, the business reorganized around machine manufacturing and moved its principal production activity to Hartford, Connecticut. By the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it was focused on industrial overlock machines and related equipment. The company developed machines for overedging, shell stitching, butt seaming, decorative edging, and other textile processes. Merrow expanded beyond the United States through an international agent network. By 1905, it reportedly had agents in 35 countries and published technical manuals in at least 12 languages. Its strong patent position and technical innovation also produced legal disputes, including patent litigation involving Wilcox & Gibbs in the 1890s. The company employed more than 500 people in Hartford during a period when its machines were widely used across the textile industry. Later developments included the MG-3U Emblem Machine, patented in 1955, expansion into the American Southeast through a Lavonia, Georgia facility in the 1960s, and the acquisition of Arrow Tool Company in 1972. The company subsequently moved from Hartford to Newington, Connecticut, and experimented with the Delta Class overlock platform in the 1990s. That product did not achieve the intended commercial traction. In 2004, shareholders approved a buyout organized by Charlie Merrow, Owen Merrow, and Robert Merrow. The business was renamed Merrow Sewing Machine Company and moved its headquarters to Massachusetts. The reorganized company stated that it would continue supporting most machines made after 1925 and would reintroduce updated versions of established models. It also developed a branding strategy around the terms “merrowed” and “merrowing,” using them to identify stitching made with Merrow equipment. The company expanded its digital and educational activities in 2008 through web-based stitch-finding, machine-research, configuration, video, and social-network tools. In 2010, after moving to the Granite Mill Buildings in Fall River, Massachusetts, it opened an industrial-machine sample room and added custom-built machines. Its more recent product and technology work includes ActiveSeam, a family of seam constructions designed for technical apparel and comfort-oriented applications. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Merrow retooled production to make facemasks and other personal protective equipment for clinical uses. The company remains an American producer of industrial overlock and specialty sewing machines.

Joseph Makens Merrow entered manufacturing through a gunpowder mill in Connecticut. After the mill was destroyed by an explosion, he and his son established a knitting mill on the site in 1838. The mill produced hosiery and other knitted goods, first using wool and later cotton. A supporting machine shop developed specialized equipment for the plant, creating the technical foundation for Merrow's later transition into sewing machinery. The company built crochet machines to finish the tops of men's socks, replacing labor-intensive handwork. Joseph M. Merrow directed the development of these machines and received patents for the technology. As demand grew among other textile manufacturers, the enterprise began selling machinery externally. This marked the shift from an integrated knitting producer to a machinery specialist. During the nineteenth century, the business operated under a succession of partnership and corporate names. It became Merrow Manufacturing Co. in 1857, later operated as Merrow and Millard and J.B. Merrow and Sons, and was incorporated as The Merrow Manufacturing Company in 1893. A fire destroyed the original knitting mill in 1887, prompting a reorganization focused primarily on sewing-machine production and a move to Hartford. The company subsequently concentrated on industrial overlock machines used to overedge cloth, join textile sections, and produce decorative or functional borders. Between the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, Merrow was a significant innovator in textile machinery. Its portfolio included overlock, shell-stitching, and butt-seaming equipment, and the company accumulated a large number of patents. Its technology and commercial success led to patent-related litigation, including the 1897 dispute with Wilcox & Gibbs. Merrow also developed an international distribution network; by 1905, agents reportedly represented the company in 35 countries, with manuals available in numerous languages. Employment in Hartford exceeded 500 people during the company's industrial expansion. Joseph M. Merrow remained associated with the company until his death in 1947. In the postwar period, Merrow continued developing specialty machines, including the MG-3U Emblem Machine patented in 1955. The company responded to changes in the American textile industry by opening a Southern manufacturing operation in Lavonia, Georgia, in the mid-1960s. It later acquired Arrow Tool Company, a machining subcontractor, in 1972, and moved from Hartford to Newington in 1982. In the 1990s, Merrow attempted to modernize its overlock portfolio with the Delta Class. The line did not secure the expected market position. A family-led buyout in 2004 changed the company's ownership and identity. Charlie Merrow, Owen Merrow, and Robert Merrow organized the transaction, moved the business to Massachusetts, and adopted the name Merrow Sewing Machine Company. The restructured company maintained a connection with the installed base of older machines, promising support for most models made after 1925 and renewed versions of established products. The Massachusetts-era company also pursued brand and technology development. It promoted “merrowed” and “merrowing” as terms connected with the distinctive stitching produced by its machines. In 2008, it created online tools for identifying stitches, researching equipment, configuring needles, and learning through video, as well as a stitching-oriented social network. In 2010, its Fall River location added a sample room for industrial machines and expanded custom-machine production. The company later introduced ActiveSeam, a branded group of stitches aimed at technical apparel and comfort-sensitive products. The system was presented in several constructions, including minimal, slim, comfort, and infused three-dimensional variants. During the 2020 pandemic, Merrow adapted its manufacturing capabilities to produce facemasks and clinical personal protective equipment. It continues to operate from Fall River as a manufacturer of industrial overlock and specialty sewing machines, maintaining both legacy support and newer technical-apparel applications.

1. 2020Production retooled for PPE

   Merrow adapted its operations to manufacture facemasks and clinical personal protective equipment.

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2. 2012ActiveSeam introduced

   Merrow introduced its ActiveSeam family for technical apparel and specialized seam applications.

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3. 2010Fall River sample room opened

   The company opened an industrial-machine sample room and expanded custom-machine production at its Fall River facility.

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4. 2008Digital stitch platform introduced

   Merrow launched online stitch resources, configuration tools, videos, an online store, and merrowing.com.

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5. 2004Family buyout and Massachusetts relocation

   A family-led buyout renamed the business Merrow Sewing Machine Company and moved it to Massachusetts.

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6. 1990Delta Class developed

   Merrow developed the Delta Class overlock machine, although the platform did not gain substantial market traction.

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7. 1982Headquarters moved to Newington

   The company moved from Hartford to Newington, Connecticut.

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8. 1972Arrow Tool Company acquired

   Merrow acquired Arrow Tool Company of Wethersfield, Connecticut, a machining subcontractor.

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9. 1964Southern manufacturing facility opened

   Merrow opened Franklin Industries in Lavonia, Georgia, to reduce costs and remain close to the shifting American textile market.

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10. 1955MG-3U Emblem Machine patented

    Merrow patented the MG-3U Emblem Machine, extending its specialty-machine portfolio.

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11. 1905International agent network expands

    The company reportedly had agents in 35 countries and technical manuals in at least 12 languages.

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12. 1897Patent litigation with Wilcox & Gibbs

    Merrow was involved in a significant legal confrontation concerning sewing-machine patents.

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13. 1894Manufacturing shifts to Hartford

    After the Connecticut mill transition, Merrow conducted its principal manufacturing activity in Hartford.

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14. 1893Company incorporated

    The business was incorporated as The Merrow Manufacturing Company.

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15. 1887Knitting mill destroyed by fire

    A fire destroyed the original knitting mill, accelerating the company's move toward dedicated sewing-machine manufacture.

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16. 1877Crochet machine patented

    Joseph M. Merrow patented an early crochet machine used for textile edge-finishing.

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17. 1857Business renamed Merrow Manufacturing Co.

    The enterprise adopted the Merrow Manufacturing Co. name during its partnership-era development.

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18. 1838Knitting mill established

    Joseph Makens Merrow and his son established a knitting mill, the predecessor of the modern company.

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19. 1837Gunpowder mill destroyed by explosion

    The destruction of the powder mill led Merrow to pursue a water-powered knitting operation on the same site.

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20. 1822Joseph Makens Merrow acquires a powder mill

    Merrow purchased a gunpowder mill in Mansfield, Connecticut, establishing the industrial setting from which the later textile business developed.

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A heritage American industrial-equipment brand focused on overlock, edge-finishing, specialty stitching, and technical-apparel sewing systems. Merrow emphasizes domestic manufacturing, long-term support for legacy machines, proprietary stitch technology, and the use of distinctive Merrow stitching as a design and performance feature.

• Industrial overlock machinesIndustrial sewing machinery

  Merrow's core product family consists of industrial overlock machines used to overedge fabric, prevent fraying, join textile sections, and create consistent decorative or functional edges. The machines descend from the company's nineteenth-century crochet-machine work and are intended for textile, hosiery, apparel, and specialty manufacturing environments.

• MG-3U Emblem MachineSpecialty sewing machinery1955

  The MG-3U is a specialty machine associated with emblem and decorative sewing applications. Merrow patented this model in 1955, reflecting the company's expansion beyond general edge-finishing into dedicated industrial stitching tasks.

• MB ClassIndustrial sewing-machine platform

  The MB Class is the machine platform associated with ActiveSeam. It supports specialized flatlock- and coverstitch-related constructions intended for technical apparel, comfort-focused garments, and products where seam appearance and tactile performance are important.

• ActiveSeamTechnical-apparel seam system2012

  ActiveSeam is a branded family of seam constructions designed as an alternative or technical improvement to conventional flatlock and coverstitch methods. Its variants include minimal, slim, comfort, and infused three-dimensional constructions, allowing manufacturers to emphasize low profile, seam comfort, visual width, or a contrasting color effect during stretch.

• Custom-built industrial machinesCustom textile machinery2010

  Following the establishment of its Fall River sample room, Merrow added custom-built industrial sewing machines to its standard offering. These machines extend the company's capabilities to customers requiring specialized stitch formats, production configurations, or adaptations beyond catalog equipment.

• 2008Merrowing.com and digital stitch education

  United States · International markets

  Merrow created a digital program built around stitch education and machine discovery. It included videos, interactive resources, stitch finders, a needle configurator, an online store, and merrowing.com, a social network centered on stitching. The initiative helped present industrial sewing technology through accessible online content rather than relying solely on traditional sales materials.

  Outcome. The initiative broadened Merrow's educational and brand-marketing presence online.

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• 2008Merrowed and merrowing stitch branding

  United States · International markets

  The company promoted the trademarks and concepts associated with “merrowed” and “merrowing” stitching, working with manufacturers using Merrow machines to identify and market the resulting stitch aesthetic.

  Outcome. Merrow used its historical machine identity as a branding asset for manufacturers and finished products.

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• 2020Production retooling for pandemic suppliesStrategy

  The COVID-19 pandemic created demand for masks and clinical protective equipment.

  What changed. Merrow adapted its manufacturing operations to produce facemasks and PPE.

  Aftermath. The company applied its textile-manufacturing capabilities to pandemic-response products.

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• 2012ActiveSeam launchProduct launch

  Technical apparel manufacturers were seeking seams that could combine comfort, appearance, and performance.

  What changed. Merrow introduced ActiveSeam as a family of branded seam constructions made on MB Class machines.

  Aftermath. ActiveSeam gave Merrow a technology and marketing platform for technical apparel and specialty garment applications.

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• 2005Legacy-machine support and product re-releaseStrategy

  The company retained a large installed base of older industrial machines after its ownership and location changes.

  What changed. Merrow announced continued support for most models made after 1925 and plans to re-release updated versions of popular machines.

  Aftermath. The strategy combined heritage-brand continuity with selective modernization of the product range.

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• 2004Family-led buyout and reorganizationM&A

  Shareholders agreed to a buyout organized by Charlie Merrow, Owen Merrow, and Robert Merrow.

  What changed. The company was renamed Merrow Sewing Machine Company and relocated its headquarters to Massachusetts.

  Aftermath. The reorganization restored direct Merrow-family management and was followed by renewed support for legacy machines, updated product offerings, and expanded custom manufacturing.

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• 1964Expansion into the American SoutheastStrategy

  American textile production was moving away from the Northeast toward the Southeast, and Merrow sought lower costs and closer proximity to customers.

  What changed. The company opened Franklin Industries, a wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary in Lavonia, Georgia.

  Aftermath. The move expanded Merrow's Southern manufacturing footprint and aligned production with the changing geography of the U.S. textile market.

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• 1887Shift from knitting production to sewing-machine manufacturingStrategy

  A fire destroyed the original knitting mill, while the company's internally developed crochet machinery had already demonstrated demand among other textile manufacturers.

  What changed. Merrow reorganized around the design, manufacture, and sale of industrial overlock sewing machines and moved production activity to Hartford.

  Aftermath. The shift established the machinery business as the company's central activity and supported later international expansion.

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• 2020Merrow retools for masks and clinical PPE

  The company adapted production to manufacture facemasks and personal protective equipment for clinical applications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Other
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• 2012Merrow introduces ActiveSeam

  Merrow introduced ActiveSeam, a family of seam constructions for technical apparel based on its MB Class platform.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2010Fall River facility adds sample-room and custom-machine capabilities

  After moving into the Granite Mill Buildings in Fall River, Merrow opened an industrial sewing-machine sample room and added custom-built machines to its standard offering.

  Product launch
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• 2008Merrow launches digital stitch resources

  The company introduced web-based tools, stitch finders, videos, machine-research resources, a needle configurator, an online store, and the merrowing.com stitching network.

  Product launchCampaign
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• 2005Merrow commits to supporting legacy machine lines

  Following its reorganization, the company announced continued support for most Merrow machines produced after 1925 and plans to return updated versions of popular models to the market.

  Product generation
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• 2004Merrow reorganizes under family ownership

  Shareholders approved a buyout organized by members of the Merrow family. The business adopted the name Merrow Sewing Machine Company and moved its headquarters to Massachusetts.

  M&ALeadership change
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1. Merrow Sewing Machine Company