It’s Sew Cute” sewing machine display at museum

Wyo4news Staff, [email protected] [PRESS RELEASE]

ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING — The staff of the Rock Springs Historical Museum shows off “It’s Sew Cute” in their new spring display. A portion of the Museum’s collection of sewing machines accessories, and hand-stitched clothing are on display in the Fire Station bay windows located on Broadway Street. The display is illuminated and available for the public to view 24 hours a day through the end of March 2022.

The oldest sewing machine in the display is a German manufactured 1920 Model 81 treadle sewing machine set in a 1925 Singer treadle table that has been painted pink. The next oldest Singer on display is a 1922 Singer Portable machine that is housed in the original bentwood case. Other Singer machines in the display include a mint condition portable Singer electric featherweight sewing machine model 221-1 in its own carrying case produced in 1935. The machine is electric and has the original manual, bobbins, and accessories including the foot controller. A later portable electric Singer from the 1950’s, donated by Chris Gras, rounds out the display.

Identification of Singer Sewing Machine Company items is surprisingly easy as they have multiple online listings for both the decal styles on the machines and identification tags attached to the machine bases. Amateur Singer sewing machine sleuths have lots of resources available, including multiple private collectors and sellers who are willing to help.

Other sewing machine brands on display include a 1949 Free-Westinghouse electric sewing machine mounted in the original wooden cabinet with the original instruction book donated by Tess Swierczek. An Alco Necchi Portable metal sewing machine made in Japan on loan from Janice Brown and a portable Goodspeed and Wyman sewing machine manufactured in Massachusetts under the name of Bartlett Sewing Machines.

“The most interesting piece on display is a treadle sewing machine in the original wood cabinet marked “Rock Springs Com’l Co.” according to Museum Coordinator Jennifer Messer. “The decal on the sewing machine stands for the Rock Springs Commercial Company, a locally owned department store located on the corner of K Street and Pilot Butte.” The Rock Springs Commercial Company was started by a group of eight investors, including Harry Breda, Matthew Ferlic, Frank Kershisnik, and Frank Subic. It was known as the “Slovenian Store” because it catered to the Slavic people here, carrying food, drink, and goods from the old country. The Rock Springs Com’l Co. sewing machine was donated by Max Bragg and is a unique, and welcome, addition to the collection.

Along with the sewing machines, there are a variety of tools and hand-sewn items on display. A three-drawer metal thread cabinet with a faux woodgrain paint marked “J. & P. Coats Boilfast Mercerized Sewing for Hand and Machine” was donated by Alice Hawks from the Union Mercantile. A copy of the 1913 book “When Mother Lets Us Sew” written by Virginia Ralston. Shears, lace, ribbon, thimbles, pin cushions, chalk, and all the other items used by even the most basic sewing machine user are scattered about.

Home sewn items on display include a white muslin quilt with a pinwheel design in dark blue, light blue, pink, burgundy, and turquoise along with a flowered pattern draped in the back of the display. Clothing produced by local seamstresses, often for the Grape Festival held at the Slovenski Dome, are also on display. A complete dance costume including the blouse, and over dresses or jumper donated by Fred Yenko as well as a child’s green velvet vests donated by Mary Killian.

“It’s Sew Cute” puts on display some of our better-loved artifacts, sewing machines in all their forms helped make sure our community was not just clothed, but warm under quilts and looking sharp for every event and occasion!

Located in the historic City Hall building at 201 B Street in downtown Rock Springs, the Rock Springs Historical Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Sundays and major holidays. Find out more about the museum by calling 307-362-3138, visiting the city webpage at www.rwy.net, or check them out on facebook.com/rsmuseum. The Museum staff invites residents and visitors alike to stop by and satisfy their love of history any time they are in downtown Rock Springs.