“They’re our children,” Mr McKail said. “If you ask me, sewing machines are the most underrated item in the household.” 

The owners of Sew What Sewing Machine Museum and Antiques will showcase more than 100 rare sewing machines at the Ballarat Show this weekend. 

Among their collection is a historic 1870s Patent Elastic sewing machine, which was rescued after the Kinglake bushfires.

Mr McKail spotted it strapped to the back of a trailer on a highway near his home.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it, they’re as rare as they come,” he said.

The couple became mesmerised by sewing machines six years ago, after Mr McKail purchased a 1954 sewing machine for his wife from a garage sale. 

“We fell in love with the uniqueness of them,” Ms Mckail said. “No two machines are ever the same.

“Almost everything you own has been sewn on machine from clothing, to shoes, to upholstery in your car. It’s incredible the work that goes into creating an item if you trace it back.”

As well as showcasing their rare collection, the couple will host workshops for people wanting to learn more about how the machines work.

Instead of showbags, the couple will selling their own “sew bags” which will include needles and fibreglass tape measures.

The couple will be in the Main Pavilion of the Ballarat Showgrounds until the show concludes on Sunday.

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au