Quirky but brilliant place - the guide was engaging and gave a brilliant talk. It's not your average museum so don't expect detail description on every piece of exhibit. But if you are into sewing machines or just fancy something different I would highly recommend it. The location isnt the most convenient to get to so would suggest a grand day out - get your haberdashery supplies next door, have a meal at the more upmarket area of Balham (15mins walk up north) or the hustle and bustle area of Tooting Bec/Broadway south - plenty of eatery choices!

My partner is into sewing so we decided to visit the Sewing Machine Museum after reading about it on the Londonist website. The Museum itself is attached to the Sewing Machine factory on the site. It is only open on the first Saturday of the month between 14:00 and 17:00 making it quite difficult to get to. Even though it isn't my passion, seeing some of the old Singer sewing machines was fascinating and seeing how they have evolved over time. It is fantastic value since entry is free. There is a member of staff there who can give you a tour through some of the more interesting and unusual exhibits, including a sewing machine designed exclusively for Queen Victoria. The fascia of the original shop which inspired the creation of the attached Wimbledon Sewing Machine Co. is recreated in the museum. Although it can look uninspiring and industrial from the outside, the LSMM is a great visit for sewers and non-sewers alike.

Odd museum only open one day a month. More sewing machines than I've ever seen before including the first model ever sold. There is a fun guided tour. Free (although donations to a charity welcome) Quirky and enjoyable.

Travelled to Balham on the first Saturday of the month and found the museum closed, because it is not open in January or December! Sigh. It may be several months before I can try again on the first Saturday of the month; then I will update this review. Is that a typo or an "olde" spelling on the sign? (Mueseum)

What an amazing place! Wife and I taken as a "surprise" treat. Even for someone like me, 70+ year old man with no sewing interest, it was fascinating. Our guide, Lauren, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the entertaining talk she gave. Who would have thought such a museum even existed. Pay a visit ( not open very often, so check) .

A fab quirky museum. Only open one afternoon a month normally the first Saturday afternoon. Amazing collection of sewing machines. Get there just after 2pm so you get the introductory talk.... that is great.

A very extensive exhibition of sewing machines from the 19th and 20th centuries. Including e.g. the world's first sewing machine from 1829 and Queen Victoria's daughter's sewing machine from 1865. Interesting tour, I recommend it. Inconspicuously located on the upper floor of a sewing machine service shop.

A great hidden gem of London! Museum is free but only open for 3 hours once a month, so check the opening dates and times online before visiting. Highlight of the visit is definitely the member of staff who led the hourly talk - she has a great sense of humour and her passion for sewing machines is absolutely contagious! I went into the museum knowing virtually nothing but left with a newfound appreciation for them!

This is the only one of its kind in London. Sewing machines of all different shapes and sizes dating as far back as the 1840s. It is only open on the first Saturday of each month but it's worth going to see this dazzling private collection. You get a guided tour thrown in. Best to go in the warmer seasons as otherwise you'll need thermals - it was freezing in January! The haberdashers store next door is amazing! Really friendly, helpful staff and lots of choice.

The carft store is fantastic but I've just had a terrible experience getting my sewing machine serviced. I was charged £66 which is steep but I was told it would be ready in 2 days so I didn't mind. 16 days later I had to call myself initially being told the machine wasn't ready and then being called 10 mins later to say it was. Whe I picked it up they had broken the bulb and lost my spare spool. When I called to complain they said the bulb could have blown in transit. I have had the machine 10 years and it has been in transit dozens of times and the bulb has always been fine. Now I have go back and get one off them (which they say they will replace for free but I still have to make a trip to get it). If you charge a premium I expect good service, not rude slovenly service.

The woman who runs the tour, Lauren, really makes this place worth a visit. She knows so much about the history and is clearly passionate about it. The museum is cool by itself; I don't even really sew and still found the old sewing machines fascinating. The info given on the tour has all the most interesting bits, including random stuff like the last working barrel organ in London. Go visit!

I mean this really deserves more stars but personally I was just less interested than I expected to be... Not enough inspiration for me to quite go from 'it's ok' to 'I liked it'. Subjectively, I don't think it's lacking in anything that you might expect other than more space. The audience were mostly older than myself, mostly female, but the staff were equally welcoming to me. The use of space is fair but it's tight, there is a minor leak from near a skylight. The story about the sewing machines is interesting and the cabinets and sets are all very well lit. There were modern bottles left on one of the sets which kind of ruined a picture opportunity. The carpet is tidy and the staff very helpful. There is also a video that plays if you really like this sort of thing. Really it's down to just personal taste but I think if you're reading this it probably means that you have a particular interest in things of this nature and if so I think you'll really like it here. I thought there might be more examples or seeing things in action and it would be great if you could use one of the machines... I think that would open up interest to a larger audience. Also it's free which obviously means it's incredibly great value for money. Should you go there with only a medium level of interest like myself? Maybe if you are nearby. It's open on the first Saturday of each month.

I love these small niche museums. We came for my husband's birthday, and while it was a challenge getting up the stairs (there is no lift and the whole museum is on the first floor), we made it and had a fantastic time. The tour guide was really interesting, enthusiastic, and had an infectious energy. As someone with barely a passing interest in sewing machines, I left eager to text all of my friends facts about Thimonnier and the history of Wimbledon Sewing Machines. My husband, who has quite an encyclopedic knowledge of sewing machines, also still managed to learn a lot and was very excited to see just how huge and varied the collection was. There was a lot of standing though, and it would have been nice to have had some more (non historically significant) places to sit while we were up there, especially for guests with mobility issues. But aside from that, it was an absolutely excellent afternoon. I've recommended it to everyone I know!

Well worth a look if you're nearby. An incredible collection even if you don't enter it knowing anything about sewing machines. Try catch a time when they are giving a tour

Open the 1st Saturday of the month 2-5, this museum is well worth visiting.

A very interesting museum for anyone interested in sewing machines or mechanical devices generally, with an amazing collection of many hundreds of sewing machines from the very earliest up to the early 1960s, many ornately decorated.

very interesting museum. wealth of models from throughout the centuries. absolutely fascinating. very informative and lively talk a must. lots of photo opportunities. great afternoon out. isobella stewart

Really interesting talk and place. Had to queue a bit to get in though.

A really neat place! The lady who hosts the talks has a great sense of humour and is very knowledgeable. I'm not much into sewing myself but it was well worth taking the time to walk through a piece of everyday history.

Truly amazing A great way to spend an afternoon with an enthusiastic and friendly guide. If you like sewing or the odd and eccentric you'll love this

Authentic sewing shop, very good variety of working models to look at