Hello everyone, and welcome to the official site of The DC Vintage and Antique Sewing Machine Showroom, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization. I'm an avid collector and restorer of vintage and antique sewing machines. I started this showroom to share with the world my current collection of over 250 machines, and to display the beauty of these magnificent finely tuned instruments, that since 1851, has changed the industrial revolution as we know it. Our collection consists of hand cranks, treadles, and electrics from Singer, White, Wheeler & Wilson, Frister & Rossman, Pfaff (and several other German brands), Necchi (and a couple of other Italian brands), National, Davis, and several others. Many have been built and imported from the UK, Scotland, Germany, The Netherlands, and Canada. There's many "badged" machines that were built post-war in Japan, and of course, in the good ole US of A. I previously had them all on display in my house in Baltimore, but they're now in storage, and I'm in the process of securing a space to display them for all to enjoy. Myself, as well as my partner instructors, are tailors and fashion designers by trade, so many of the machines do actually get used. Please be patient as I add more pictures and info, as the site is under construction.
The following is just a few of the services that we'll be offering and instructing in our classes. Thank you.
FASHION DESIGN AND CONSULTATION
With over 40+ years of experience in the fashion industry, we specialize in custom:
Womenswear (including, but not limited to eveningwear, sportswear, streetwear, outerwear and swimwear).
Menswear (same categories as above)
Accessories (hats, bags, masks, etc.)
We also do small batch manufacturing (including patternmaking and samplemaking)
In addition, graphic arts media services are available (including, but not limited to embroidery, cut and print, direct to film and logo design).
These sewing/tailoring classes are taught in beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
Contact us for more info.
We're also proud to instruct the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Summer Youth Employment Program, in conjunction with The Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center!
VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE SEWING MACHINE RESTORATION AND REPAIR
Students will not only learn the history of vintage and antique machines, as well as get the opportunity to sew on them. They can also learn to restore and service them. This is necessary to preserve the patina and functionality of these workhorses, and to keep them in good working order for years to come!
