A Stitch Back In Time vBy Aimee Huntley Tucked away in the country, not far off Bluff Road in Vermillion, is a hidden gem: The Farmer’s Daughters Sewing Museum. The museum’s existence is a testament to a family’s strong love and an obsession for sewing machines. Five sisters and their mother have shared their incredible collection of eighty plus vintage sewing machines and sewing related memorabilia in a venue that is available to the public. They want to tell the sewing machines history and story. The machines date from the first official one worldwide patented by Elias Howe in 1846, up to the Singer model 401 in 1957, which is considered the last of the vintage all metal sewing machines. All the machines were for home use, none of them are the industrial versions used in factories. These machines were the ones commonly found in households and many have been handed down through the generations. The museum is located on property owned by Sally and Dick Abild. It was once a steel milking barn that was moved in the 1950’s to Vermillion by its previous owners. The barn has been completely renovated with another large room added to properly showcase this amazing collection. Upon entering the front door, the museum feels warm and inviting. An expansive row of tables is in the center of the room for visitors, to be used for sewing workshops and classes. Sally Abild greeted me warmly and welcomed me inside. It was a dreary day Let Your Home Reflect Your Style! FREE In-Home Design Consultation With Our Professional Designers 2401 Broadway, Yankton • 605-665-3719 • slumberland.com Monday-Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday Noon-6pm 8vHERVOICEvNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018