London Sewing Machine Museum
A volunteer-run museum above a sewing machine shop in Tooting with more than 600 machines, open free of charge on the first Saturday afternoon of most months.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The London Sewing Machine Museum is devoted to the history of the sewing machine. It is based in the building of the Wimbledon Sewing Machine Company on Balham High Road, next to Tooting Bec Underground station. The collection was put together over about fifty years by Ray Rushton, the managing director of the company.
More than 600 machines are on display. They show how the domestic and industrial sewing machine developed, and the collection is known for including an early Singer machine. The museum is on the first floor of the building, which is reached by a staircase of roughly forty steps.
The museum is open to visitors only on the first Saturday afternoon of the month, and entry is free, with donations welcome in the charity tins. Opening is sometimes cancelled at short notice, for example because of staff shortages, so it is worth checking the museum's page before travelling.
Highlights
- More than 600 sewing machines
- Collection built up over about 50 years
- Early Singer machine
- Free entry on monthly open afternoons
Permanent exhibition
- Sewing machine collection – More than 600 sewing machines collected over fifty years, telling the history of the sewing machine.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Wimbledon Sewing Machine Co Ltd
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free; donations are welcome in the charity tins.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is on the first floor, up about 40 steps, and there is no lift, so access is restricted for visitors with limited mobility.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tooting Bec
The museum is next to Tooting Bec Underground station.
The entrance is on Balham High Road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
