I live in Upstate New York and have been collecting toy sewing machines since 1993. I purchased my first machine at an antique show back then and that was the beginning of an exciting and rewarding hobby that has never ended.

Since the end of 2006 I have held the office of Treasurer of Toy Stitchers International. I have made many new friends as a result of joining this diverse group and have met people from all over the world. It is a friendly, fun, and informative group.

In 1982, I started collecting sewing machines when my grandfather passed away leaving me an old Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine. My great grandfather sold Home sewing machines. My grandfather had a Singer dealership, and my father sold Viking sewing machines.

My own sewing machine collection has become one of the largest and most diverse sewing machine collections in the United States, exceeding 1,500 cherished treasures.

I am a charter member of ISMACS and Toy Stitchers International, and I am proud for being noted by the Smithsonian for my involvement with antique sewing machines. Currently, I serve as President of Toy Stitchers.

My first two toy sewing machines were gifts from my husband in 1985. He knew that I had learned to sew as a child and was allowed to sew on my mom’s treadle but yearned for a toy sewing machine. Now, some 30 years later, our extensive collection has grown to over 900 examples.

We learned about Toy Stitchers in 1993 and we became members immediately. Because of this affiliation, our lives have been enriched with the many friendships which have developed over the years, as well as the widespread travels which go along with collecting these little treasures.

It’s been my pleasure to serve the group as Editor of The Toy Stitcher, TSII’s quarterly journal, since 2002.

I found my first toy sewing machine in 1993 on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Because of my love for sewing, I was hooked right away. Every time I saw one at a flea market, antique show, or in an antique shop, I just had to have it. I also collect other sewing antiques.

I joined Toy Stitchers International as soon as I found out about them. I have gone to all the conventions since then and have had the most fun. I have learned so much about my collection through this group. And I have made so many good friends.

I currently hold the office of First Vice President at Toy Stitchers.

If you like intriguing, complex, but simple Rube Goldburg style mechanics, mostly small, puzzling to operate, amazing to see, ingenious, and fun to collect. Then, go for Toy and Small Sewing Machines (TSM and SM)! You won’t regret it! Much less expensive than cars, takes up a lot less room, and easy to move around and show off.

I started as a casual sewing machine observer due to my wife’s years of passionate sewing and quilting. Singer Featherweights became a “hobby” for both of us for a while. However, TSMs were interesting, varied, and mechanically marvelous but simple. I started as a casual observer, became a minor acquirer, and slowly graduated to an enthusiast and collector. These girls’ childhood toys became one of my mature (?), adult avocations! Glenda Thomas’ two books on Toy and Miniature Sewing Machines were grappling hooks on me and TSII set them firmly in my body!

The TSII members are a marvelous group of casual and enthusiastic friends always eager to offer information, assistance, education, and help. The conventions are always an educational event, a chance to obtain or trade TSMs, renew friendships, and have fun.

My name is Bonnie Myers. I’m married to my best friend and been married 30 years. I have two children, a son and a daughter, my husband has one daughter and we have 8 grandchildren, the youngest of which are twin granddaughters which Mike and I are raising.

My hobbies include genealogy, quilting, and collecting toy sewing machines.

I retired in 2013 from BP Cherry Point Refinery after a 30-year career. Cherry Point offered a great variety of positions which I was fortunate enough to learn. Some positions held were a Turnaround Field Planner; Project Scheduler using P6; Financial Analyst; Primavera Site Administrator; TAR Coordinator; Integrated Refinery Wide Schedule Coordinator, including work from all disciplines, TAR, Projects and Maintenance and Control of Work database Project Manager.

I also volunteered as BP’s Resource Unit Leader at Area Command in Houma, Louisiana responding to MC252 also known as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill the first 3 weeks after the spill. I was responsible for the setup of resource reporting and charting which was reported to Admiral Landry and ultimately President Obama. I was also the Situation Unit Leader on the Incident Command Staff responding to Hurricane Rita.

I got into toy sewing machines from my involvement with quilting and featherweight sewing machines. My collection of featherweights simply took too much space, so I got interested in toy sewing machines in 1999.

The first toy sewing machine I purchased was a cast iron Baby which I acquired through eBay. Once I had my Baby, I was hooked and needed more.

Since then, I have purchased over 250 machines which I mostly keep in my own collection. I buy and sell a few machines here and there for fun and profit, and also to keep my collection at a high standard.

First Vice President
Marie L’Etoile

Second Vice President
Mary Shepherd