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The Sewing Factory Girls: An uplifting and emotional tale of courage and friendship based on real events
'Inspiring, uplifting and full of heart' - Annie Lyons
Like half of all the young women living in the Scottish town Clydebank in early 1911, Ellen works at the sewing machine factory. So does her big sister, Bridget, Bridget's fiancé Malcolm, and her new friend Sadie, who has come to work at the factory after the death of her father...
For Sadie, the factory is a way to make ends meet, but Ellen has sewing in her veins. She is even making Bridget's wedding dress on her beloved sewing machine. But after the excitement of the wedding dies down, everything changes. Ellen discovers that the work of the cabinet polishers - her job - is to be reorganised, and they will be doing more work for less pay.
Ellen feels betrayed - the sewing factory is her family and they've let her down. Sadie is more pragmatic. But the women aren't going to give in without a fight. They've been reading about strikes and they've got an idea - much to the disgust of manager Malcolm.
Meanwhile, Bridget, forced to choose between her husband and her sister, has made a new friend and is fighting her own battle, alongside the suffragettes.
The events of the strike will throw Ellen, Bridget and Sadie's lives into turmoil but also bring these women closer to each other than they could ever have imagined.
'I couldn't put the book down!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'A heartwarming story that brings the people who worked in the sewing machine factory to life.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
352 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2023
30 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Posy Lovell
5 books78 followersKerry Barrett was born in Edinburgh but grew up in London where she still lives; television journalist and has written novels under her real name; has also written fiction under the pen names Kerry Bell and Posy Lovell.-- http://kerrybarrett.co.uk/about-kerry...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 22, 2024
Ellen Kelly lives in the Scottish town of Clydebank, with her father Allan, mother Gert, granny Sal and sister Bridget and she’s the third generation of proud women in her family to work at the Singer Factory. Over twelve thousand people are employed here and it's the most modern factory in Europe, it takes forty one pairs of hands to make one machine from the start to finish.
Bridget works in the office, she’s a typist and so does her fiancée Malcom, Ellen, Gert and Sal are busy making Bridget’s wedding dress and she's given a traditional Wentworth send-off, she’s pushed around the factory floor in a cart and in a mock wedding dress and one of Ellen’s creations.
Sadie Franklin starts working at the Singer Factory, she nervous on her first day and Ellen shows her the cabinet polishing room. Sadie’s father recently passed away, she’s the breadwinner in her family, supporting her mum and three younger siblings and they live in Gorbals, Glasgow.
After Bridget’s wedding, a new manager starts running the factory, Mr. Beresford, he wants to make changes and use the new philosophy of scientific management, he lays of some employees and others are expected to work longer hours and for less money. Ellen is mad, after a few days she’s exhausted, Ellen thinks about going on strike and Sadie agrees. The strike escalates, others from the factory walk off the job and the members of the Industrial Workers of Scotland become involved.
Bridget is caught in the middle she has to choose between her new husband who doesn’t believe in the strike or her sister and she becomes very disillusioned with her marriage and job. She meets a suffragette, Ida McKinley they hold secret meetings, a subcommittee of the Women’s Social and Political Union and some of the members get up to mischief and all for a good cause.
I received a digital copy of The Sewing Factory Girls by Posy Lovell from Orion Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. An empowering and well written story about the women who fought to improve the working conditions at the Singer factory in 1911 at Clydebank, Scotland.
Women held everything together in the household, earn money to help support their families and at the time they’re not given a lot of credit for what they do and I found this a double standard. An inspiring narrative about courage, the fight for change and to be paid a fair wage.
The ladies form an unbreakable friendship, they support everyone in need and it's a true sisterhood. Five stars from me, perfect for historical fiction readers who like true stories about inspirational women and set during the industrial boom in Scotland.
Bridget works in the office, she’s a typist and so does her fiancée Malcom, Ellen, Gert and Sal are busy making Bridget’s wedding dress and she's given a traditional Wentworth send-off, she’s pushed around the factory floor in a cart and in a mock wedding dress and one of Ellen’s creations.
Sadie Franklin starts working at the Singer Factory, she nervous on her first day and Ellen shows her the cabinet polishing room. Sadie’s father recently passed away, she’s the breadwinner in her family, supporting her mum and three younger siblings and they live in Gorbals, Glasgow.
After Bridget’s wedding, a new manager starts running the factory, Mr. Beresford, he wants to make changes and use the new philosophy of scientific management, he lays of some employees and others are expected to work longer hours and for less money. Ellen is mad, after a few days she’s exhausted, Ellen thinks about going on strike and Sadie agrees. The strike escalates, others from the factory walk off the job and the members of the Industrial Workers of Scotland become involved.
Bridget is caught in the middle she has to choose between her new husband who doesn’t believe in the strike or her sister and she becomes very disillusioned with her marriage and job. She meets a suffragette, Ida McKinley they hold secret meetings, a subcommittee of the Women’s Social and Political Union and some of the members get up to mischief and all for a good cause.
I received a digital copy of The Sewing Factory Girls by Posy Lovell from Orion Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. An empowering and well written story about the women who fought to improve the working conditions at the Singer factory in 1911 at Clydebank, Scotland.
Women held everything together in the household, earn money to help support their families and at the time they’re not given a lot of credit for what they do and I found this a double standard. An inspiring narrative about courage, the fight for change and to be paid a fair wage.
The ladies form an unbreakable friendship, they support everyone in need and it's a true sisterhood. Five stars from me, perfect for historical fiction readers who like true stories about inspirational women and set during the industrial boom in Scotland.
January 4, 2024
A Fictional Story about actual history that took place in and around the early 1900s. A tale about women working in a factory in Scotland that made sewing machines. Unions were just starting and at that time they weren’t even called unions. This was a big factory that employed roughly 12000 men and women. A new boss came to run the factory and everyone thought he would improve working conditions but that wasn’t his intention. Instead he wanted less workers on the assembly lines who he expected to do more work for less pay. That way the company would make a bigger profit. Nothing personal . It was just business.
Management would start this new way of doing business on a trial basis. They would start in the cabinet polishing department where the women worked. After a while the women got tired of working harder for less money and they decided to walk off the job. Soon women in other departments joined them and it wasn’t long before the men went out too. Would the manufacturer negotiate with the workers or would the strikers be fired for walking off their jobs?
I thought this was an interesting book about the history of manufacturing and the laborers who worked in the factories. I enjoyed the plot of the story and how the workers supported each other when the going got tougher and money became scarce. They believed that what they were doing was the right thing. They were pioneers in the union movement and workers rights. I thought it was entertaining, romantic and realistic.
I recommend The Sewing Factory Girls to readers of historical fiction, women’s fiction, and historical romance . Certain readers might be offended by a controversial issue that was lightly added to the story 73 percent into the book.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are entirely my own.
#TheSewingFactoryGirls #NetGalley
Management would start this new way of doing business on a trial basis. They would start in the cabinet polishing department where the women worked. After a while the women got tired of working harder for less money and they decided to walk off the job. Soon women in other departments joined them and it wasn’t long before the men went out too. Would the manufacturer negotiate with the workers or would the strikers be fired for walking off their jobs?
I thought this was an interesting book about the history of manufacturing and the laborers who worked in the factories. I enjoyed the plot of the story and how the workers supported each other when the going got tougher and money became scarce. They believed that what they were doing was the right thing. They were pioneers in the union movement and workers rights. I thought it was entertaining, romantic and realistic.
I recommend The Sewing Factory Girls to readers of historical fiction, women’s fiction, and historical romance . Certain readers might be offended by a controversial issue that was lightly added to the story 73 percent into the book.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are entirely my own.
#TheSewingFactoryGirls #NetGalley
November 1, 2023
Ellen and Bridget Kelly and Ellen's friend Sadie are the main characters in this book but there are many more. The story is primarily about how women were treated as second to men. They work at the local sewing machine factory. It's hard work and then a new manager comes in, sacks people and cuts the hourly rate and expects the remaining workers to pick up the slack. Enough is enough for Ellen and even though she's young, she's fiery and leads her colleagues out on strike.
I didn't take to Ellen at the start. She's extremely bossy, thinks she knows everything and doesn't take advice. She improved slightly towards the end. It took some time for the book to get going. There was a lot of laying out of characters and descriptions of the Wentworth factory which dragged a bit. There could also have been a bit more depth to the story line. I enjoyed the Suffragette part of the story and would have liked more of it.
Overall though it was a pleasant story and I look forward to seeing how they all get on in the next book.
Thanks to Orion and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
I didn't take to Ellen at the start. She's extremely bossy, thinks she knows everything and doesn't take advice. She improved slightly towards the end. It took some time for the book to get going. There was a lot of laying out of characters and descriptions of the Wentworth factory which dragged a bit. There could also have been a bit more depth to the story line. I enjoyed the Suffragette part of the story and would have liked more of it.
Overall though it was a pleasant story and I look forward to seeing how they all get on in the next book.
Thanks to Orion and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
November 25, 2023
A compelling and motivating story, with a strong female friendship at the center. When three girls find themselves in challenging circumstances, they pull together to conquer the obstacles that previously seemed insurmountable. This book was enjoyable to me. I kept reading it because I was drawn to Ellen Kelly, a main character, and I was curious to see what she would do next. The story's length wasn't bothersome to me, as I was completely absorbed.
The core of this book is the power of community; a small but dedicated group of individuals working together to make changes in society, potentially marking the beginning of something big. The inclusion of the suffragette protest is also praiseworthy.
If you're in a positive mood and looking for a pleasant read, this is definitely it. 😀
The core of this book is the power of community; a small but dedicated group of individuals working together to make changes in society, potentially marking the beginning of something big. The inclusion of the suffragette protest is also praiseworthy.
If you're in a positive mood and looking for a pleasant read, this is definitely it. 😀
June 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this book about women in 1911 striking in a sewing machine factory.
Ellen and Bridget were relatable characters & the story was really interesting. Great read.
Ellen and Bridget were relatable characters & the story was really interesting. Great read.
January 24, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This book was brilliantly paced and written and gripped me from the very first sentence. Two sisters with opposite personalities who need to work together to achieve a common goal, from different sides of the issue, is exactly what I want to be reading.
It helps that there is a sprinkling of LGBTQIA+ within the book, as well as women's rights and talks of Suffrage,
The end note about this story being based on true events made the themes hit home even more, I wish I could read it for the first time again!
This book was brilliantly paced and written and gripped me from the very first sentence. Two sisters with opposite personalities who need to work together to achieve a common goal, from different sides of the issue, is exactly what I want to be reading.
It helps that there is a sprinkling of LGBTQIA+ within the book, as well as women's rights and talks of Suffrage,
The end note about this story being based on true events made the themes hit home even more, I wish I could read it for the first time again!
November 9, 2023
If you enjoy light, historical fiction, I can highly recommend The Sewing Factory Girls, by author of
The Kew Gardens Girls
and
The Kew Gardens Girls at War
. I do hope this one gets a follow up book too!
When a charming new manager is hired at Wentworth sewing machine factory, many hope that he will bring positive change, more social events, higher pay, proof that management appreciates that high quality machines depend on the community of hardworking women and men building them.
But the new manager has something else in mind entirely, and it starts with treating the employees like machines…
This book is inspired by the historic event from 1911 when 10,000 workers at the Singer sewing machine factory in Clydebank, Scotland went on strike to show their solidarity with 12 female colleagues who protested against the larger workload they were expected to do without an increase in pay.
I loved this story about friendship and courage against all odds. There was just the right sized dash of romance too. And the scenes featuring suffragettes was an added treat.
The image of workers pouring out of the factory to stand in solidarity together made for powerful reading. It was so uplifting to see a community pull together and look after each other with the positive message that we are stronger together.
A big thank you to Orion Books for providing me with my copy through NetGalley!
When a charming new manager is hired at Wentworth sewing machine factory, many hope that he will bring positive change, more social events, higher pay, proof that management appreciates that high quality machines depend on the community of hardworking women and men building them.
But the new manager has something else in mind entirely, and it starts with treating the employees like machines…
This book is inspired by the historic event from 1911 when 10,000 workers at the Singer sewing machine factory in Clydebank, Scotland went on strike to show their solidarity with 12 female colleagues who protested against the larger workload they were expected to do without an increase in pay.
I loved this story about friendship and courage against all odds. There was just the right sized dash of romance too. And the scenes featuring suffragettes was an added treat.
The image of workers pouring out of the factory to stand in solidarity together made for powerful reading. It was so uplifting to see a community pull together and look after each other with the positive message that we are stronger together.
A big thank you to Orion Books for providing me with my copy through NetGalley!
October 15, 2023
The Sewing Factory Girls sounds was a captivating and inspiring novel.
It portrayed the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity.
The story captured the essence of friendship, family, and the power of standing up for what is right.
The emotional journey that Ellen, Bridget, and Sadie went through as they navigated the challenges of their work and personal lives.
It was wonderful to see how their bond deepened and how they found the courage to fight for better conditions.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction and stories based on real-life events may find this book incredibly engaging.
It portrayed the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity.
The story captured the essence of friendship, family, and the power of standing up for what is right.
The emotional journey that Ellen, Bridget, and Sadie went through as they navigated the challenges of their work and personal lives.
It was wonderful to see how their bond deepened and how they found the courage to fight for better conditions.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction and stories based on real-life events may find this book incredibly engaging.
October 23, 2023
The book is set in 1911 Clydebank, at a local sewing machine factory. When new management comes in, sisters Ellen and Bridget, and friend Sadie, find themselves caught up in a deterioration of working conditions. Will a mass strike help improve the situation of many?
I was really looking forward to this book, but sadly found it very slow going, with far too much wordy description early on. However, the final third of the book became far more interesting, when it began to focus fully on the girls, and touched on poverty, the Suffragettes and Winston Churchill. I'd be interested to see where the story goes next, as it was left perfectly for a sequel.
I was really looking forward to this book, but sadly found it very slow going, with far too much wordy description early on. However, the final third of the book became far more interesting, when it began to focus fully on the girls, and touched on poverty, the Suffragettes and Winston Churchill. I'd be interested to see where the story goes next, as it was left perfectly for a sequel.
September 24, 2023
This is a simple lovely story about friendship - while also being a glimpse into working conditions during the early 1900s.
It's also an interesting look into poverty and the struggles of women's rights. Most interesting to me is that much of the story could take place today. I recognize the struggles of these young women as the struggles of my mother and my daughter. And even myself.
"He still knows right from wrong."
"Well," Da said, "sometimes we all have a bit of trouble with that."
It's also an interesting look into poverty and the struggles of women's rights. Most interesting to me is that much of the story could take place today. I recognize the struggles of these young women as the struggles of my mother and my daughter. And even myself.
"He still knows right from wrong."
"Well," Da said, "sometimes we all have a bit of trouble with that."
August 27, 2023
I loved this book and the fighting spirit of the characters
February 21, 2024
This is a nice book. The characters in the book were interesting to read about. The friendship between Sadie and Ellen was cute, and I was impressed with the communal living in that location. The author raised important themes that are prevalent in modern-day society.Although the book had a catchy title and attractive front page, I felt the plot was dragged too long. The author surprised me with the plot twists and new themes that were not noticeable in the first few chapters. I picked up this book to read because I sew outfits, and I wanted to see how sewing was done in the historical time. I am rating this book 4 stars. I am a lover of historical saga, and since this is a new book from a new author, I appreciate the historical reference in the plot.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
March 9, 2024
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook.
I have been enjoying these type books lately. What I don't like is the author putting in woke liberal feminist crap. I was really enjoying this book until about 80% into it. And we have a lesbian romance. The suffragettes were horrible law breakers. When you turn to violence then you loose respect. This book even though it takes place during this time it is just unrealistic. Ellen was absolutely so annoying I didn't like her character at all. I think Sadie was the best. My heart went out to her. I think the author expressed her modern feminist gay pride views that just didn't feel correct for that time period. The writing was kind of sloppy in some areas and it felt like more of a rough draft than a finished novel. The cover could have been good and edited better. But I was very disappointed in this one.
I have been enjoying these type books lately. What I don't like is the author putting in woke liberal feminist crap. I was really enjoying this book until about 80% into it. And we have a lesbian romance. The suffragettes were horrible law breakers. When you turn to violence then you loose respect. This book even though it takes place during this time it is just unrealistic. Ellen was absolutely so annoying I didn't like her character at all. I think Sadie was the best. My heart went out to her. I think the author expressed her modern feminist gay pride views that just didn't feel correct for that time period. The writing was kind of sloppy in some areas and it felt like more of a rough draft than a finished novel. The cover could have been good and edited better. But I was very disappointed in this one.
February 17, 2024
4.5 stars. I enjoyed reading this book! It was very interesting and full of surprises. I loved the whole idea of women being empowering in the workplace and at home!
The characters are relatable and genuine! I like Ellen's spunk! She's a woman with a plan! Sadie is someone I'd want to emulate. She's strong, a provider, and very capable!
I liked the love stories that took place in the book. One was surprising...
There are some unwanted sexual advances in the workplace. I liked the sense of community and how the characters rally together!
I was provided a copy of the book by Orion Fiction through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters are relatable and genuine! I like Ellen's spunk! She's a woman with a plan! Sadie is someone I'd want to emulate. She's strong, a provider, and very capable!
I liked the love stories that took place in the book. One was surprising...
There are some unwanted sexual advances in the workplace. I liked the sense of community and how the characters rally together!
I was provided a copy of the book by Orion Fiction through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 28, 2024
A story, about life in the time of the suffragettes trying to win the right to vote and the strength they went to to get it.
When a new manager comes in to run the Wentworth sewing factory and brings in a new regime of longer hours with less pay, everybody panics as they are already paying hand-to-mouth. A strike is formed with everybody almost everybody joining. It has a great description of the women who are fighting and community to help those with families that are struggling.
This is a great book the characters are imaginative and the story has credence to that time. It was easy to read and flowed from one page to another.
When a new manager comes in to run the Wentworth sewing factory and brings in a new regime of longer hours with less pay, everybody panics as they are already paying hand-to-mouth. A strike is formed with everybody almost everybody joining. It has a great description of the women who are fighting and community to help those with families that are struggling.
This is a great book the characters are imaginative and the story has credence to that time. It was easy to read and flowed from one page to another.
November 13, 2023
I looked forward to reading this book as I had enjoyed one of the previous books by the author. Based on the 1911 strike in Singer, Glasgow. Follow the sewing factory girls who rebel against the new manager who is changing the Wentworth factory to the detriment of the workers. The girls are expected to do more work and for less pay. The main characters are well written. The book is a pleasure to read.
November 7, 2023
A lovely book following girls working at the local Singer sewing factory that employs a lot of the community. I love the community spirits, the trials and tribulations that they all go through with different issues at home and working conditions at the factory. I look forward to reading more by this author
January 7, 2026
I was pleasantly surprised that this book was really about workers' rights as well as women working for their community. There is so much content out there about individuals showing personal strengths for their own benefit. It was really nice that these characters cared about each other and realized that their fates are conditional upon each other's.
November 3, 2023
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very special story based on actual events which occurred at the Singer sewing machine factory.
Great characters make this a really good read.
One I can really recommend.
This is a very special story based on actual events which occurred at the Singer sewing machine factory.
Great characters make this a really good read.
One I can really recommend.
April 12, 2024
Couldn't put it down ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read
June 13, 2024You have to admire the determination of this group of ladies for standing their ground.
August 22, 2024
Great read with a fantastic link to social history. The turmoil people faced the fight for workers and for women especially. Always amazing the research an author will do.
September 24, 2024
Loved this so much. Can't wait to get hold of the next one!
November 2, 2024
Great read about a group of women who work for the Singer sewing machine factory in Scotland. Their lives and struggles as they go on strike over their working conditions.
February 27, 2025
Nice read
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book have already downloaded the next one. Fully recommended this book to all who likes a nice story
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book have already downloaded the next one. Fully recommended this book to all who likes a nice story
June 13, 2025
Sadly this book wasn't for me.
I thought about how the story was going and where it was leading to.
It was predictable
However at least I was willing to try this book.
I thought about how the story was going and where it was leading to.
It was predictable
However at least I was willing to try this book.
June 26, 2024
Posy Lovell brings the labor and suffrage movements to the Singer Factory in Clydebank, Scotland, in this fascinating and enjoyable novel. The novel follows sisters Ellen and Bridget, Ellen’s friend Sadie, and Bridget’s husband Malcolm, as well as a few other friends and neighbors, as scientific management threatens the jobs of Ellen, Sadie, and Bridget’s coworkers at the Singer Factory. Things continue to escalate, with Ellen and Sadie leading a strike which divides the sisters, and Bridget finds herself having to choose between her sister, her husband, and her new suffragette friends. Lovell’s characters are brilliantly crafted, with strong personalities, close friendships and relationships, and warm hearts, and they bring Clydebank and the Singer factory to life for the readers. Clydebank itself is another character with its own personality, culture, and social dynamics, and Lovell brings it to life through her characters and their interactions with the city. Lovell’s dialogue, prose, and descriptions are well done, and they bring the world of Clydebank and Ellen, Bridget, and Sadie’s stories and struggles to life. Readers will appreciate her interest in the labor and suffrage politics in Scotland in the 1910s and her representation of these issues in The Sewing Factory Girls.
Thanks to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group, and Orion for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group, and Orion for the advance copy.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews