Portable Vintage Sewing Machine

The hand crank-operated sewing machine was a technical marvel: light-weight, portable, and affordable. Not only that, but it was a beautiful piece of engineering, achieving the rare feat of perfectly balancing form and function. Many of these sewing machines are still in working order today, while others serve as decorative pieces!

Instantly recognisable, this build contains a lot of tactile, technical components. Turn the hand crank and the wheel spins, setting the machine into motion. No need for a treadle or electricity! There’s a lever to adjust the stitch length, the face plate comes away to reveal some of the complex mechanisms within, and the needle plate is removable to access the bobbin case, where a bobbin can be placed. Not only that, but the tray at the back of the machine, good for keeping track of loose needles, lifts up to reveal a small storage compartment.

This build contains approximately 1,278 pieces.