Posted on 19 December 2011

The latest toolkit to roll off our production line is a sewing machine maintenance kit, making it easier to keep the hundreds of sewing machines we send to Africa each year in tip top condition. As well as being our newest toolkit the sewing machine maintenance kit is also our smallest yet.

It was the brainchild of volunteer refurbisher and former teacher at Sparsholt College Alan Busher (61) from Romsey.

The new kit features some unusual items among its 20 or so tools, including a bespoke feeler gauge and a toothbrush for cleaning all the small moving and hard to get at parts. According to Alan, hard or medium toothbrushes work best!

The team has also come up with an ingenious way of boxing up the tools which reuses the drawers from treadle sewing machines. Alan said, “This is a good use of damaged treadle sewing machine bases which are beyond economic repair and would otherwise be thrown away.”

L to R: Operations manager Jon Dunkley and volunteer Alan Busher holding aloft some of the tools in the new kit

This Christmas you can help. A donation of £20 pays for two fully restored sewing machines for a small workshop in Africa. For this and other good gift ideas check out our online shop.