Janis: Depends on who you believe and how you define a sewing machine.
here is a fun read, but only one view of many
http://www.sewalot.com/sewing_machine_history.htm
Thimonnier developed a machine that was foot powered but not in the usual treadle (pedal to circle)
Elias Howe is credited with the first sewing machine and it was a hand crank, so was the first Singer.