The Vintage Sewing Center & Museum (the “M”) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an amazing tribute to sewing machines, the art of sewing, and other textile and fiber arts. Sewing machines, ranging from the earliest-available domestic machines to huge industrials, are on display in its many rooms. Visitors can even use some of them!
The museum’s curator is WK Binger, who is a combination of Mr. Rogers, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and the best school teacher you ever had, and can tell a story like no one’s business. His knowledge of the machines and their history is astounding. He has personally collected the stories of these objects and delights in the retelling, keeping the previous owner’s memory alive and reiterating just how important these machines were to our world—and still are now.
People of all ages are welcome, and everyone’s given a chance to try out at least one machine. Whether a skilled sewer or just sew-curious, this museum will amaze you with the sheer number and variety of sewing machines. There are fun classes onsite, as well as sewing machine maintenance and repair services.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday year-round. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a small admission fee. Guided tours are available for a fee and are awesome. Groups are welcome (ask about group discount) and children under 15 are free.
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