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Welcome to the fascinating world of Antique and Vintage sewing machines.

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Our collection includes sewing machines made in both Europe and North America, and on the following pages you will find information about many of the companies that manufactured sewing machines as well as photographs of various types of machine that were produced simply click on one of the links to the right to find out more.

Europe's first sewing machine manufacturer established in 1852 was Bradbury & Co and we have undertaken years of research into this company much of which is presented HERE

Research

If you come across a period advertisement, price list etc (dated or not) this may provide further information which would help enhance the accuracy of this site and it would be helpful if you could let us have a copy.

We buy individual or bound copies of "The Journal of Domestic Appliances & Sewing Machine Gazette" or similar trade publications such as "The Sewing Machine and Cycle News". Any condition considered. Please Contact Us with details

Preservation

We are seeking additional machines to preserve, especially early cast base or unusually shaped ones not currently represented in the collection. Please click here to see the list of machines we are particularly looking for.

Donations

Please make a donation to help preserve additional machines and assist in further research.

Donations can be made quickly and easily through PayPal just click on the button below - thank you

We are not a charity and receive no grant aid or other such funding.

Valuations

We regret we CANNOT provide free valuations of sewing machines as there are so many variables that need to be taken into account. What we can say is we operate on a limited budget, the machines shown on this site cost as little as £2 and the most expensive £250.
Remember MOST machines were made in thousands or hundreds of thousands and Singers in Millions.

Important Copyright Notice

ALL material including text, photographs, illustrations are the copyright of David & Lin Best.
All rights are reserved and no part of this web site shall be reproduced without our prior written permission.
ebayers please note we WILL have your auctions terminated if you breach our copyright
If you see information you think has been copied from this site please let us know so we can, if necessary, take the appropriate action.

Useful Web Sites

The Smithsonian
Sewing Machine Literature

Helen Howes Textiles

Sew 2 Go

LinBe in the Craft Room
Crafts

Ruddington Framework
Knitters' Museum

Austin 7 Restorations

Raindrop Kites