I have always been aware that Isaac Merritt Singer of Singer sewing machines was an American. We have just got home after going to a wedding. I had posted the ring cushion I had made for the wedding in projects. http://projects.cuteembroidery.com/8703700_ring-cushion-made-this-some.html

I arrived at the wedding ceremony in a beautiful old imposing building and as there was a huge staircase and I had my grandsons pushchair and bags I took the lift. I got to this by going through some dark passage. After the wedding all of the guests were asked to stand on the very imposing staircase for photographs. While standing waiting I looked forwards and was amazed to see about 10 Singer treadle sewing machines on the ground floor. I eventually went down and found a small museum with more Singer machines and quite a lot on the Singer family. I really could not work out why they were all there. Now I know. Where you aware what a colourful life Singer lead? I also found he made his many millions in improving the design of the sewing machine and not inventing it. His very colourful life lead to him leaving the States rapidly and he ended his life in Paignton in Devon, UK with some of his many children. His family home, which he had built was where the wedding ceremony took place.