The museum built from hundreds of rescued sewing machines

Hundreds of sewing machines once destined for scrap have found a second life in an unexpected place - a museum in Somerset.

Dominic Macey began collecting the machines 30 years ago after spotting several abandoned at the side of the road and deciding to take them home.

"At the time I was looking for something to do long term which was different to my day job," he said.

What started as a small personal project has now grown into Gates Museum in Street, where hundreds of machines are now on display, many of them dating back to the 1870s.

The collection charts the development of sewing technology, from foot‑pedalled designs to early electric models introduced in the 1930s.

What started as an effort to save historic equipment has grown into a unique attraction celebrating craftsmanship, heritage and sustainability.

The museum is run by Dominic and his son Gabriel, who grew up surrounded by the collection as it steadily expanded beyond its original space.

"I think [it] started off when I was a kid with them in the shed. It then progressed to themn not fitting in the shed to the living room, the rest of the house and being put into storage a bit," he said.

Among the exhibits is a rare carpet sewing machine, rebuilt by the pair using only a photo for reference.

One of only two in the world, it was used to stitch blackout curtains during World War Two.

The family are also recording as much detail about each machine's history.

One, once owned by a suffragette, was passed down through generations of women to provide financial independence, and was among the few items saved from a house fire.

Street was chosen as the museum's location due to its rich industrial history, particularly its links to shoemaker Clarks - where sewing machines once played a key role.

Interest in the collection now stretches far beyond Somerset.

"I've had a guy who has been pleading with me for the last three years for a machine that I have that he wants and he's in Alaska," said Macey.

"He says he'll pay any price."

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