Sew and Vac?

August 10, 2005 12:33 PM

Why is it always "Sew and Vac?" Sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. Why do these two appliances have such an affinity? Is it motors and belts? All the repair joints I see are 'Sew and Vac." What is up?
posted by fixedgear to grab bag (5 comments total)

I just discussed this with my girlfriend the other day. I think you've hit on one of the main points: both use small electric motors, and have lots of belts and things that break down.

Some other points that I think influenced this phenomenon: Sewing machines and vacuums used to be major household appliance purchases, and both used to be considered the "woman's domain" so pairing them together was natural.
posted by MrZero at 12:37 PM on August 10, 2005

They are the non-kitchen, small electric motors operated by homemakers.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:38 PM on August 10, 2005

Or, what Mr0 said.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:39 PM on August 10, 2005

I think Singer also used to make vacuums and was one of the first companies that did, and of course they make sewing machines, so it could also be that they had singer stores selling both (there's a singer store selling both near where I live) and other stores followed suit.
posted by duck at 4:03 PM on August 10, 2005

I think it may also be because at one time most women had
sewing machines as well as vacuum cleaners.
posted by bat at 12:16 AM on August 11, 2005