History

The Wimbledon Sewing Machine Company Limited was founded in 1946 by Thomas Albert Rushton, who traded from a shop in Merton Road, South Wimbledon. Over the years the company has evolved into the internationally renowned organisation you see today, incorporating a diverse cross section of sewing related products.


The Old Shop
The company has been involved with the import and export of domestic and industrial machines since the early days. During the late 60's and through the 70's a chain of 10 retail shops, throughout South East England, were introduced.
The company has relocated to larger premises four times since opening- First to Merton High Street, South Wimbledon, just around the corner from the original shop. (These premises are still in use by the company today) - Second to Homefield Road, Wimbledon Village - Third to York Road, Wimbledon - The last move in 1979 brought the company to Tooting Bec where since then the company has been able to expand by purchasing neighbouring buildings.


The New Premises

The company is still a family owned and run business, the present Managing Director is Ray Rushton son of the founder. Ray's wife, son and daughter are all involved in the business.
The most recent venture for the company has been the Sewing and Craft Superstore. In its first five years of operation the floor space devoted to this branch of the company has been increased three times to cope with the demand.
Opening in May 2000 will be the London Sewing Machine Museum, which is dedicated to the company's founder Thomas Albert Rushton, this is a culmination of 50 years of collecting antique machines by Ray Rushton and the company. The museum contains a replica of the original shop in Merton Road as well as over 600 domestic and industrial machines dating from the 1850's through to the 1950's. The feature attraction in a Wheeler & Wilson type machine given as a wedding present to Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa (known as Vicky) born in 1840 who married Frederick, Crown Prince of Prussia, who became Kaiser Frederick III.
Saturday the 1st April 2000 saw the preview opening for the International Sewing Machine Antique Collectors Society and was combined with a big craft show which was open to the public. Two vintage busses brought 200 invited guests from their hotel to the museum where they were able to see the collection for the first time ever. The guests had travelled from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Guatemala, United States and Europe. After viewing the museum they mingled with the public in the Sewing and Craft Superstore while watching the 14 demonstrations ranging from machine embroidery to spinning, needle work, ribbon craft, Fimo modelling clay, Dylon dyes and many more