Restoration of sewing machine Wheeler-Wilson from 1867
Experts from the Methodological Centre of Conservation examined and restored a unique pedal-powered sewing machine from the American company Wheeler-Wilson from 1867.
Sewing machines are one of the symbols of the Industrial Revolution, as they greatly facilitated the sewing of clothing and other textile products and enabled their massive expansion. One of the oldest representatives in the collection of the Technical Museum in Brno is an American Wheeler-Wilson sewing machine from 1867. The results of a broader interdisciplinary collaboration between the restorer, researchers and curator uncovered the machine’s design, including its innovative features and dating, historical finishes such as japanning and decorative decalcomania decals, and other materials used. This information contributed to the accurate identification of the machine and helped to subsequently select the appropriate restoration intervention. The study shows the entire conservation-restoration process from surface cleaning, fixing of inlays and other decorative elements, stabilization of corrosion processes to restoration of shellac polish.
