We’re celebrating textiles throughout March at the Horry County Museum! Join us March 17^th at 11 AM as Sharon Huffstetler shares the history of the American sewing machine. In this lecture, and hands on experience, Sharon will discuss the earliest ideas of the sewing machine in America and the men that brought it to life. She’ll also discuss what happened behind the scenes, including the drama that got us to the sewing machines we know and love today. After the presentation everyone is invited up to see machines from 1848 to the 1960’s. Participants will even be able to sew a few stitches on a hand crank sewing machine from 1881!

Sharon Huffstetler grew up in an antique shop her parents owned in Camden, SC in the 1990’s to early 2000’s. That upbringing instilled a love for all antiques and especially history. When she got into quilting at the age of 27 it was only a matter of time before she connected her passion for antiques to her newfound hobby. By age 31 she had opened her business and did demonstrations up and down the east coast on her antique hand crank sewing machines. At 32 she took apart her first Featherweight and the rest is history as they say. Now at 34 she owns an Antique and Vintage Quilt Shop just doors down from the building her parents had their antique shop in all those years ago. Sharon has designed and produced 3 rulers for the Featherweight and 2 tools to help those with hand mobility issues to continue to enjoy these fun and precious pieces of history.

The program will begin at 11 AM at the Horry County Museum, located at 805 Main Street, Conway SC. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 843-915-5320 or email hcgmuseum@horrycounty.org. To view a full list of programs, visit our website at www.horrycountymuseum.org.