Man Dismantles Vintage Sewing Machine, Discovers Letter Hidden Inside

When Paul Seddon and his daughter dismantled the vintage sewing machine he picked up from a local antique shop, they had no idea of the surprise that would be waiting for them inside.

Seddon's daughter lives with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare genetic disorder that impacts the lives of around 25,000 to 50,000 people in the U.S. It causes the skin and mucous membranes to become extremely fragile, meaning even the slightest friction or minor trauma can cause painful blisters and skin tearing.

Seddon and his daughter, who are based in the U.K., make assemblage art pieces out of items like the vintage sewing machine as a form of art therapy. "Making the pieces promoting and selling them helps to give her a sense of achievement and self confidence," Seddon told Newsweek.

"I bought the sewing machine from a small antique shop in Felsted, with the idea of using the wooden base as a frame, which I've done before. I normally buy broken ones with parts missing," he said. However, when Seddon opened up the bottom of the sewing machine, he was confronted by something unexpected: a letter that shed light on the machine's history.

It read:

"This Singer sewing machine was manufactured in 1885.

This can be verified by the registration number 6835495.

It was possibly made in Clydebank, Scotland but the singer company manufactured in counties all over the world.

The sewing machine belonged to Amy Louise Dutton, nee Ellis. Amy was born in 1891 in Edmonton, North London. She married Stanley E. Dutton in 1922.

One can only guess at the many items Amy fashioned on her sewing machine in their little Edwardian terraced house in Forest Road, Edmonton.

It was certainly used to make bunting which was strung across from house to house to celebrate the end of World War II.

Amy was a kindly, plump lady who always wore a flowered print wrap around apron.”

The discovery caught Seddon off-guard. "I was surprised to find the letter," he said. "The space is normally used for storing old needles and cotton reels for the machine." He has no idea who wrote it but he has a good idea why they did. "Whoever owned the machine prior to the antique shop obviously felt sentimental towards it and wanted its history to go with it so left the letter in the safest place," Seddon said.

Seddon said his daughter has been equally thrilled at the discovery and the subsequent interest in the sewing machine. Now they are reconsidering whether to turn it into art or not. "I'm reluctant to dismantle anything that's in good order," he said. "I was pleased when I found the sewing machine because I had an idea for a new piece of work, but when I found the letter and read the story and human connection with it, it put me in two minds."

With Singer sewing machines from 1885 fetching hundreds on eBay, Seddon may want to consider passing the piece on. For now though he's happy to have learned more about its fascinating history.

The Benefits of Art Therapy

Research shows art therapy can deliver measurable mental‑health benefits, particularly for depression. A 2025 meta‑analysis of randomized trials in children and adolescents found art‑based interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms, with a moderate‑to‑large effect size (−0.72). This is supported by broader synthesis evidence, including a JAMA Network Open meta‑analysis of 50 studies involving 2,766 participants, which found visual art therapy was associated with improvements across outcomes such as depression, anxiety, self‑esteem and quality of life. Together, these large‑scale reviews suggest art therapy can play a useful role alongside standard treatment, though researchers note the overall evidence base remains mixed in quality.

Evidence also shows benefits for anxiety, stress and emotional regulation. A randomized controlled trial found art therapy significantly reduced anxiety, improved quality of life and strengthened emotion‑regulation skills, with effects lasting at least three months. Systematic reviews in young people similarly link art therapy to reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression and even suicidal ideation, alongside gains in self‑expression and coping. There is also evidence of biological effects: a study found just 45 minutes of art‑making significantly lowered cortisol, a key stress hormone. Taken together, the research suggests art therapy can improve mental wellbeing through both psychological and physiological pathways, although experts continue to call for larger, more rigorous trials.

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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 10:04 AM.