Hello, welcome to our world
These are Wayne's writings and Judi's additions!
In 2008 Judi came up with the thought and said "Babe, I'd like a treadle sewing machine", that day while Judi was at work, I went out to an auction and filled that need. I brought home a c1920 Wertheim in a cabinet in average condition, but with a little love and care we worked on it and got it running and oiled, and it now stands set up in the house for quick mending jobs. It is a lovely machine and has a special place in our lives.
On the left is our beloved first machine, Wertheim, later found to actually be a USA made Free Rotoscillo, rebadged as Wertheim. What a treasure!
Well, having a cabinet, wonder what the next step was ????? Hmmm - yes you got it right! A treadle with a cast iron base, wonder where we will get that from ??? Correct - eBay!! YAY!!! eBay has played an important role in keeping our cash flow to a minimum!! Despite that, yes, we went looking. Not long and bingo! Yes - another lovely machine, a Gritzner Selecta , looked lovely and fitted the bill. Not unlike me, and being of Scottish blood, buy something a bit run down and get it up to its splendor. Save $$$$. Hooked the trailer up and off to Melbourne to pick it up (400km trip). Arrived home, feeling like we have a treasure, same as last. An oil here, a sanding there, and a polish everywhere. Hmmm, very happy. It is a beautiful display piece.
Well, having a cabinet then a treadle - where to next?? Yes, you guessed correctly! A hand crank machine, wonder where we can get one of those? Hmmm. Yes - you got it right again. eBay!! Hmmm...love that site. Not long searching and up she came again. Bingo!! A beautiful Harris No 1, what a lovely sight. This baby didn't need any work.
At this stage it was decided we will only collect European sewing machines, they are far more attractive and their action (we believe) is superior. The next was a toy sewing machine, then an overlocker for Judi's daughter. We fell in love with the 1923 Singer overlocker, kept it and purchased her another overlocker! And that blew Wayne's only European idea right out of the water!
Now we have over 400 machines of various brands, makers and designs. (And we have quite a few non European machines!)
A longing became interest, then a hobby, a collection, then an obsession.This venture (for us) is a natural progression, "if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em", this whole idea of a museum was the next step, done and now taking it on the road. One can be said about us. WE DO think outside the square and we do back our plans and judgement.
We are proud of our collection and are happy to share it. We do not have the biggest or best collection in the world but what we have is a very good comprehensive collection (and growing). Now 400 machines spanning 100 years, we are sure it WILL impress most. Whilst we are not the world's foremost authorities on sewing machines, we have considerable knowledge on the subject. and believe we may have the largest privately owned collection of sewing machines on display to the public in the southern hemisphere.
Our collection grew from various means, eBay (our life's blood), garage sales (love them), clearance sales (very close second), local auctions and word of mouth. Not to forget council collection days (Wayne would take it all home, if they only made a big enough truck).
If you feel there is a discrepancy in anything we state please feel free to contact us and put us back on the correct path.
We would be more than happy to receive any information pertaining to getting it correct.
Sew What Maryborough
Judi and Wayne McKail
Address on request
Maryborough, Victoria. 3465
Mob: 0419 101 144 or 0408 745 238
Email.... sewwhat@bigpond.com
Copyright: W & J McKail 2012 & 2015
These are Wayne's writings and Judi's additions!
In 2008 Judi came up with the thought and said "Babe, I'd like a treadle sewing machine", that day while Judi was at work, I went out to an auction and filled that need. I brought home a c1920 Wertheim in a cabinet in average condition, but with a little love and care we worked on it and got it running and oiled, and it now stands set up in the house for quick mending jobs. It is a lovely machine and has a special place in our lives.
On the left is our beloved first machine, Wertheim, later found to actually be a USA made Free Rotoscillo, rebadged as Wertheim. What a treasure!
Well, having a cabinet, wonder what the next step was ????? Hmmm - yes you got it right! A treadle with a cast iron base, wonder where we will get that from ??? Correct - eBay!! YAY!!! eBay has played an important role in keeping our cash flow to a minimum!! Despite that, yes, we went looking. Not long and bingo! Yes - another lovely machine, a Gritzner Selecta , looked lovely and fitted the bill. Not unlike me, and being of Scottish blood, buy something a bit run down and get it up to its splendor. Save $$$$. Hooked the trailer up and off to Melbourne to pick it up (400km trip). Arrived home, feeling like we have a treasure, same as last. An oil here, a sanding there, and a polish everywhere. Hmmm, very happy. It is a beautiful display piece.
Well, having a cabinet then a treadle - where to next?? Yes, you guessed correctly! A hand crank machine, wonder where we can get one of those? Hmmm. Yes - you got it right again. eBay!! Hmmm...love that site. Not long searching and up she came again. Bingo!! A beautiful Harris No 1, what a lovely sight. This baby didn't need any work.
At this stage it was decided we will only collect European sewing machines, they are far more attractive and their action (we believe) is superior. The next was a toy sewing machine, then an overlocker for Judi's daughter. We fell in love with the 1923 Singer overlocker, kept it and purchased her another overlocker! And that blew Wayne's only European idea right out of the water!
Now we have over 400 machines of various brands, makers and designs. (And we have quite a few non European machines!)
A longing became interest, then a hobby, a collection, then an obsession.This venture (for us) is a natural progression, "if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em", this whole idea of a museum was the next step, done and now taking it on the road. One can be said about us. WE DO think outside the square and we do back our plans and judgement.
We are proud of our collection and are happy to share it. We do not have the biggest or best collection in the world but what we have is a very good comprehensive collection (and growing). Now 400 machines spanning 100 years, we are sure it WILL impress most. Whilst we are not the world's foremost authorities on sewing machines, we have considerable knowledge on the subject. and believe we may have the largest privately owned collection of sewing machines on display to the public in the southern hemisphere.
Our collection grew from various means, eBay (our life's blood), garage sales (love them), clearance sales (very close second), local auctions and word of mouth. Not to forget council collection days (Wayne would take it all home, if they only made a big enough truck).
If you feel there is a discrepancy in anything we state please feel free to contact us and put us back on the correct path.
We would be more than happy to receive any information pertaining to getting it correct.
Sew What Maryborough
Judi and Wayne McKail
Address on request
Maryborough, Victoria. 3465
Mob: 0419 101 144 or 0408 745 238
Email.... sewwhat@bigpond.com
Copyright: W & J McKail 2012 & 2015