Betsey Ann Stearns

Betsey Ann Stearns ( Goward; professionally known as B. A. Stearns; June 29, 1830 – February 21, 1914) was an American inventor of the long nineteenth century. She is credited with developing a "Diagram and System for Cutting Ladies' and Children's Garments". The invention was first issued in 1864 and improved upon in 1867. It is described as being simple and accurate, easily learned, and economical.

As a child, she entered the weaving mills of Nashua, New Hampshire, saving her money from her work to educate herself. After marriage, she became well known for her dress-cutting invention, which was awarded the highest prize in the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876. She went on to organize the Boston Dresscutting School, with branches in other states. She also published two books focused on garment cutting.

Early life and education Betsey Ann Goward was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, June 29, 1830.

At the age of fourteen, Goward, with an older companion, left home to earn her own living, and engaged herself as a weaver of cloth in a cotton factory in Nashua, New Hampshire. She was able to provide for herself and to put money into a savings bank. After saving , she returned to Cornish to visit her family and to go to school. She attended the schools in Meriden, New Hampshire, and Springfield, Vermont.

Stearns organized the Boston Dresscutting School and several other branch schools in other states. and A System for Cutting Ladies' and Children's Garments by Tailor's Method with Stearns' Improved Diagram, in 1892.

Death Betsey Ann Stearns died in Providence, Rhode Island, February 21, 1914.

Awards and honors In 1869, her invention received from the Massachusetts Mechanical Association a silver medal and diploma. The invention also received the highest award in the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, in 1876, for its accuracy, simplicity and economy. In 1877 the American Institute, New York City, awarded the invention a special medal for excellence. In 1878, the Massachusetts Mechanical Association awarded a bronze medal to Stearns for her "Diagram for Cutting Garments, etc.":—

Selected works A System for Cutting Ladies' and Children's Garments by Measure, with Stearns' Improved Folding Diagram, 1885 A System for Cutting Ladies' and Children's Garments by Tailor's Method with Stearns' Improved Diagram, 1892