[f. STITCH v.1 + -ER1.]
1. One who stitches or sews. In literary use as a general term; in technical use, a person employed in some operation specifically called ‘stitching’ (e.g., in shoemaking, bookbinding). † Formerly also a contemptuous term for a tailor.
1589. Nashe, Anat. Absurd., B 4 b. Some stitcher, Weauer, spendthrift, or Fidler.
a. 1613. Overbury, A Wife, etc. (1638), 258. Shee that sets the first quest of enquiry amongst her gossips for new fashions shall not refuse a stitcher for her second husband.
1805. Mod. London, 443. Printers, engravers, stitchers, binders, type-founders.
1858. Adelaide A. Procter, Leg. & Lyrics, 212.
| Where the weary stitcher | |
| Toils for daily bread; | |
| Where the lonely watcher | |
| Watches by her dead. |
1878. Simpson, Sch. Shaks., I. 142. The stitcher or binder … confounded the previous confusion by misplacing several of the scenes.
1886. Athenæum, 7 Aug., 180/3. The Sicilian stitchers … who supplied models to the Venetians … for needlework.
b. In combination with to adv. In quot. fig.
a. 1637. B. Jonson, Under-woods, Epigr. to Counsellor, 8. The names … Of Hirelings, Wranglers, Stitchers-to of strife.
2. A tool or machine used for stitching.
1862. Times, 12 June, 6/2. The blank sole-cutting machine will cut out 60 soles in a minute, and the stitcher will stitch them on … at the rate of about 50 seconds for each shoe.
1901. Munsey’s Mag., XXV. 439/2. Carrying the magic power of steam to stitchers and folders.
