Betsey Ann Stearns

Life & Legacy

Betsey Ann Stearns (née 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.