I bought a (Working!) Victorian Sewing Machine 😯 | 1892 Singer Treadle
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- Опубліковано 5 бер 2021
- I know I focus a lot on eBay as a source for machines, because that's where I found my two, but Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local antique/flea markets/estate sales are also great places to look!
Clip shown: Ruth Goodman and Luca Costigliolo in "Victorian Farm: Episode 4".
Shot on the Sony ZV1 and Canon G7x Mark ii
Want to get started with hand sewing?
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Management contact for business enquiries:
bernadette@helmtalentgroup.com
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Music:
(All music from epidemicsound.com unless otherwise specified.)
'Toss Me the Tomatoes' by Raymond Grouse
'In This Sphere' by Francis Wells
'Painting the World' by Raymond Grouse
'Dismantle' by Peter Sandberg
'The People' by Kyle Preston (source: Artlist)
'Winnipeg Sneak' by Arthur Benson
'Her Own Device' by Gavin Luke
For those of you who missed the move posts/video mentions, yes--after some minor (read: 11-month) pandemic-related delays, I've finally been granted a visa to come and work in the UK. Yes, Lord Cesario has come with me. Yes, there will be a new workroom setup vlog, but probably not for a few months as it will take some time to acquire things around the lockdown restrictions here, and I'm trying to find as much as I can secondhand or through independent craftsfolk. :)
Exciting!
Welcome :)
Being utterly nosy, I don't suppose you could tell us what you will be working on?
so very very happy to see this dream has come true and hoping the lockdown here doesn't hamper you too much.
Congrats on your move! I'm so jealous, please do some vlogging of the outside shops and lovely areas when you can...I so miss London!
My great great grandmother worked for Singer, she taught women how to use the new sewing machine. My great great grandfather met her while she was working. He came to visit her and asked “so when are you getting married.” She answered “whenever you ask me” 💕
thats really adorable and a lovely story
Awwwwe 😍
aaawww that's such a cute story!!
She knew her destiny had walked in the door.
Your great great grandma was smooth man. That is a great response!
Bernadette now has two beautiful Victorian sewing machines, so logically she will probably still hand sew practically everything 😂
🤪
It's one reason we all watch her though... so it's kinda her brand.
@@starduststudios5671 ok
@@starduststudios5671 shhh
@@starduststudios5671 smh dude why u here?
I am here entirely to brag about finding a king size linen sheet for $4 and I know the people here will understand why I am happy.
I've been looking for linen sheets/comforters for months now and haven't found anything under $250. It'll be cheaper to just buy the raw material and make them myself.
wow that's a really cool find!
Score!!
@@starduststudios5671 thanks for the heads up
@@starduststudios5671 wrong channel for that babe
I AM SO EXCITED. My mother has had her great grandmother’s machine in our garage for YEARS. I had no clue we could find out what year it’s from, and as soon as I did, I could not help but force her to help me check. Turns out I have an 1899 Singer machine!
Hi. Did you try your grandmothers machine?
Cool Beans!
What design on it? Some are far more valuable than others! There's so many online resources for these beautiful machines
This video series has reminded me of learning to sew on the antique Singer my mother and grandmother used. It had gone through a conversion to electricity at some point which is not uncommon. There are instructions on the internet for returning a machine to treadle operation and I so want to do that! Once I have a place with space enough and can get mine out of storage!
I have a 1910 "Domestic".
When Bernadette said her other sewing machine was still on its way to her, I just imagined this dramatic scene of it arriving and saying, "Honey! I'm home...wait, who is this??" And Bernadette insisting, "It's not what it looks like!"
“Are you ... sewing with someone else?”
🤣
@@mythandmayhem1134 HA the AUDACITY
I could actually see that playing out in my head lol 🤣
she's polyamorous with sewing machines, that's all. Plenty of love to go around. :)
i feel like "jam a rag in it to make it function right for now" is the most historically accurate solution imaginable
the duct tape of those days: r a g s
Use what you have is a period-accurate mentality
Yep.
Exactly the best stop-gap repair!
" we are confined to the span of a human lifetime " is such a profound statement that hit me far harder than it should have. I absolutely adore you and your content! ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for being you
y I like, sorry
Bernadette your cinematography is simply supurb. Every video is truly a joy to watch. The way you craft a storyline with video, narration and music leaves me feeling like I could watch this all day. Thank you for the time and effort you put into sharing your art.
"I think this will do, at least for now" is perhaps the *most* historically accurate solution possible.
Right? It's the repair equivalent of piecework, which as Bernadette reminds us, is extremely historically accurate!
I imagine the only difference between 2020s Bernadette and a 1930s lady would be using a cloth rag instead of paper towel as a temporary fix.
Exactly what I was thinking! People have made do since the dawn of time - nothing more historically accurate than that! 😁
I got a mint condition, almost never used 1896 Singer, everything included, original manual, spools, threads, needles, everything you need, for free!! Just because I helped a old lady with her groceries one winters day. She complemented my coat, I sad I've made it my self and she sad she had her grandmother's sewing machine in the attic and she gave it to me! I've used it several times, it works perfectly and I'm so happy I helped that old lady. I kept helping her with small things when I had the time but she passed away a few years ago.
Wow! I would love to see photos or a video
Damn that’s a good find. And that lady sounds so nice from your little anecdote.
She gave it to a good home. Treasure it.
that is a sweet story also rest in peace nice lady
Can you imagine a movie produced by Miss Banner? Not to mention an historical film, it would be breathtaking.
I’ve also been referring to my machine as “she” and had the same glee when bringing it home. I just got it, for a heck of a deal too! She’s a 1927 electric singer, and it’s amazing to think about the garments this machine made and the work it did to keep people clothed during the great depression and during wartime. Im going to attempt to thread her today and see what she can do!
I strongly suspect that _'shove something in the hole until we can get around to fixing it'_ is completely Historically Accurate™.
Exactly what I was thinking!! Especially in rural America, a quick fix until a part could be ordered in was a way of life...heck, in some places, it still IS a way of life!!
It probably would have been a scrap of cloth, and it might have stayed there for years. I'm sure that's exactly how great grandma would have handled it on the farm.
It's incredible that this machine works. I mean, she's survived WARS.
These are very common in my country. I learned to sew in one of them.
I think she’d get along well with sergeant stabby, they’ed probably agree with alot of points
@@clarapilier they're really pretty. Can i ask you where are you from?
:3
@@mariaflorenciaalvarez1926 Dominican Republic.
@@clarapilier Holaaa! Aquí una de Argentina! ( /^ω^)/♪♪ Aprendiendo con una máquina antigua, no tanto como esa pero de unos 60 años :3
"What!? Bernadette got an antique Singer?!"
*drops everything in the evening routine and watches the video in a towell*
My great grandmother taught me to use her Singer treadle machine one summer when I was young (it looked just like yours and was regularly used by her and my grandmother; also, I'm old). It was wonderful to use, and listening to the sound of the treadle moving via your video has brought back some amazing memories-- thank you!
so... bernadettefinished her metamorphosis and became a real vintage timetraveler seamstress
It was really only a matter of time ;)
Well, her handturn machine is, after all, yet one year older than this treadle one. Not everybody had even space for more than handturned.
Plot twist: she IS the actual time travel agency seamstress from the meme
The shoes makers wife- book about a a beautiful seamstress. I feel like Bernadette is this lady
@@dustysgarden2254 I know this book! Bernadette is 100% real-life Enza, specially once we remember that Enza was also a seamstresses not for theatre companies, but for the Metropolitan Opera. I see Bernadette sewing and all I see is Enza ♥️
The staple in the belt is exactly what should be there to hold the belt together. I have several belts for my treadle machine and they all have the heavy staple. Congratulations on you new best friend. I got my treadle machine from my uncle Cecil. He wore overalls all the time but he made all his shirts on the treadle.
I agree! But I did fix the staple a bit (smushed it more into the strap) to make the movement smoother.
I have a treadle machine also I had to buy a new strap for mine the one on there looks exactly like mine which is less than 2 years old.
I learned sewing in school on a treadle machine and I can agree, this stripes where always with this staples. ❤️
Epoxy could work well for fixing the broken wood in the treadle
We have an old singer as well and the reason for the staple is that it is impossible to make a leather loop. So to form the circle the ends are stapled together :)
Note that when threading the bobbin you can disengage the needle by unscrewing gently the circular plate attached to the wheel of the machine, I don't know if it was meant for that purpose but it works quite well
Edit: thanks to a video from 24 Washington I now know that it was an intended quality of the machine and it was in fact advised to disengage the mechanism when first familiarizing with the apparatus
I'm not into ASMR, but I would love an ASMR video of just peddling the machine and sewing random pieces!! Very interesting and informative video for a fellow history but 😁❤️
Important tips: This is a beautiful Fiddle Base treadle machine. The correct size shuttle is not for sale on Amazon. Those are too long. Bernadette is correct in that they are very expensive to purchase...when you find one. Measure before you buy. The staple in the leather belt is correct. You can purchase the leather belt and special pliers to put in the staple and make sure it is not too tight or too loose online but not from Amazon.
Foot placement (human feet) is done by placing your right foot on the bottom right corner of the single treadle and the left foot on the top left corner of the treadle. Or vice versa. Test which is most comfortable. Press down with your right foot and then your left in a rocking motion. This keeps your ankles from getting ‘sore’.
Yes, place your right hand on the top of the wheel and roll, palm flat, toward you to start. You may need to do more than once. This will take coordination. Be ready to use your right hand to stop forward movement when sewing.
And, since the sewing machine ‘foot’ is a side mount...this machine can use Low Shank attachments from modern day Singer machines to include a walking foot which will certainly help with some thick fabrics.
Buy a couple different brands of the correct sewing needles for your treadle sewing machine as the needles you use in your handcrank may not be happily used in your Fiddle Base.
Enjoy your new ‘dream machine’ Bernadette.
Goood tips from an expert sewer and Singer user!
Totally agree it's nothing like sewing with a modern day machine enjoy learning. Please don't buy attachments etc from Amazon or eBay they just don't fit
I love comments like this! Am I going to use this information? Nope, but it's still very fun to learn. thanks for sharing
I appreciate that you took the time to share your knowledge to all of us. Thank you so much!
I've been able to find a number of parts for my 1925 treadle and also for my 1931factory treadle, from Singeronline.com. By the way, the best way I've found to join the belt is to use a rotary tool with a tiny drill bit, and drill the belt where I want the staple to go through, MUCH easier than trying to push it through. The main trick for me with a treadle was learning to pump the treadle while throwing the wheel. I couldn't see for sure, does this beautiful machine have the lever and the extension on the large bottom wheel for throwing the belt on and off to avoid premature stretching?
Random tip from someone who grew up with a treadle: the easiest way to get it going is to put the flat of your hand on top of the wheel and pull sharply towards you. The friction with the palm of the hand will start the wheel turning at a good speed, and you can very quickly repeat the motion if it isn't going fast enough yet. The little wheel is more for stitch by stitch sewing (like when finishing a seam).
Flat of the hand onto the top of the wheel is your brakes. You will want to know that at some point :)
Yes! I learned to sew on treadle and did just that!
I have always done that and was a little confused as to what Bernadette was talking about with the problem, since I never had it.
I remember my mother doing this on her 60s era electric singer. So much that I still reach out to do it even when I'm using her new sowing machine with a mind of it's own that very much doesn't need help, thank you very much.
The little wheel is actually a stop motion knob used to disengage the internal working mechanism so the needle does not move while you wind thread on a bobbin. This way you can wind a new bobbin without removing the thread from the needle.
Couldn't agree more. Especially with the braking. LMAO!
This is probably a weird thing to say, but I teared up a little bit watching this. I just got my newly serviced singer 301 sewing machine yesterday and am about to take on the monumental task of teaching myself to sew, and you have perfectly captured the feelings of excitement and anticipation and joy of finally having in your hands a piece of history that you have been researching and preparing for for who knows how long, something that is going to help you create beautiful and functional and spectacular things. I'm happy for you, and I am so excited for the journey that I am about to embark on myself!
My favorite sewing machine is a Singer 301. My wife is all about her Singer 221 (Featherweight). Her primary reason is the Featherweight is "cuter".
The sheer JOY in Bernadette's voice and on her face are infectious, I love it!
This video is honestly on par with documentary level quality.
I was going to comment on the quality of this video as well. Bernadette really does remarkable work in editing.
1892 great year! That was the year my great grandmother was born. She passed in 1994. I was named after her. She was the sweetest woman and had the best stories😊
My great grandmother was born in 1906 ! She passed in 2000 , I miss her so very much ! I know she would love my machine.
I have my grandmother's treadle, also built in 1892 - she taught me to sew on it. Edit.. I also have the puzzle box of accessories that came with it.
I recently bought a house and when we moved in, we delightfully discovered that the woman who sold the house left an early 1900's Damascus Grand Treadle machine complete with the original instruction manual and different types of feet and other add-ons 😲😲 it needs to be oiled and a new needle but it works!
Wow are you one lucky soul. I wonder if she knows more about the machine and if she would share that with you. My grandparents didn't have anything of the such and I finally got my hands on a Pfaff from 1961 and she has an attitude. With original manual as well, although she may have gone through a house fire. I wish you the best of luck and joy with yours.
@@tarasnow-burch7203 a friend of mine found a Pfaff from 1959 -- I knew nothing, still don't, but the labels were all intact and complete... I had a shop "bring it back to working order" for my friend....she has 4 sewing machines and is single, I find that funny.
Oh man would I love one of my own
could u share it somewhere? (the manual and how to use it extra) i think there are many people who would incredibly benefit from that!
a few years back, I was browsing in my favorite store, St Vincent. I had just paid off my credit card and swore I would charge no more. But, there before my eyes was a most beautiful Grand Damascus treadle sewing machine in a most beautiful cabinet. Love at first sight! so, guess what? you know it, I used my charge card and bought that beautiful baby. She dates to 1875. Even have the instruction book that came with it but, of course, the pages are very thin. I've sewn quilt tops with it and just last year made curtains for my daughter. I tell everyone that she and I have a special relationship going. She sews like a dream.
The husband of my grandma has one of this. I tried for years to convince him to give it to me,but he won't budge. This year he saw some of my handwork sewing and out of nowhere he finally decided to give this piece of history to me. 🥰
Great ! Sometimes, we just want things to find the right home, to go to the right person....to someone who will appreciate it.
You're fortunate! Glad you got the machine.
So happy for you!
He finally decided you are ow worthy LOL
Well that is one happy end 😉
I collect antique and vintage sewing machines…mostly Singers. I love seeing other people enjoying and sewing on them. They were/are beautiful pieces of art. Thank you for saving and respecting another piece of history and giving the beautiful old girl a new lease on life.
I have one of these machines u am looking to sell in fair condition. How much should i ask
I use my treadles for free motion quilting. I love the sound, the rhythm, and the control I have over my speed. The antique singers are just the best. Nothing is made today with the same level of quality!
"Are you crying watching a video about a sewing machine"
No you don't understand, it's about life, both living and inanimate. And I expected nothing less from this channel
I own a Singer treadle machine from 1923 (I checked the serial number). When I mentioned to my husband that I wanted a treadle machine, this wonderful man found one and bought it for me. A coworker had it in his basement and said it belonged to his grandmother, who had saved her money for years to be able to buy it. I cherish the machine and feel honored to use it. Knowing the story behind the machine makes it more special and when I use it , I think about it's original owner and what she might have made with it.
The stories that come with the machines are as essential as the flywheel and the drive belt.
That is so precious!!
That's one of the amazing things about historical items - the many lives they've been part of. While house shopping I initially wanted a new build, but realized at some point that each existing one contains a wealth of stories and memories. The 50-year-old one we bought revealed several historical surprises while I lived there, that always got me thinking fondly of its past residents and their every day experiences over the years. ♥️🍍
Mine (1897) came from my client who got it from her mom, who got it from her mom. She has definitely seen better days, and I want to clean her up a bit more and learn to tune her. I am so excited.
Also, pianos. To learn that the one you hated practicing on as a child was built in the 1920s is to also learn that it possibly provided hours of entertainment through the Great Depression, and definitely survived becoming firewood in that time. Not to mention all the music it's made since then! 🎹🍍
OMG this brought back so many memories of my grandmother sewing us new clothes. She had a treadle machine similar to this. Hers had a cover that lifted up and lay flat like an extension of the sewing table. The machine was actually stored underneath. So many memories and so many outfits were made on it. I don't know what happened to it. I wish I knew. Thanks for the memories.
I am loving the cinematic/documentary style of your newer videos. They look incredibly professional and actually stir quite a lot of emotion, which is something that is rare these days.
Bernadette's face when "unboxing" this machine is what happiness is made of.
Most people make that face at a kitten
God's Son is coming back soon, repent while there is still time! DO NOt take the mark of the beast vaccine! New World Order is here! Stock up on food and necessities! The Bible said many would die of fami ne
*me at work on my phone watched Bernadette clean a sewing machine*
"Rimer.... what are you doing over there?"
"Super important work, Chief...."
🤣🤣🤣 😬
Hahahaha
I'm certain you're done reading the comments. But, you've I inspired me to start making my own clothing. Wish me luck as I make a skirt for the first time using the back stitch video you posted as reference. Thank you for being so inspiring.
How'd it go?
Oh, wow! I didn't even see these! It went great! My wrist hurt like the Dinkins! But it came out lovely! Thank you for asking!
I learned to sew on a treadle Singer sewing machine and I'm 67. It was my great grandmother's (born 1860).
I loved the rhythm of my feet on the treadle and could hardly reach it at the time. These machines are beautiful pieces of craftsmanship in wood and metal. I could weep when I see them being broken apart to use as "farmhouse" wash basin stands.
These kind of sewing machine are still very common in africa, since there is no reliable electricity in some places. I learned to sew on one off these.
I was thinking that those kind of machines are the perfect solution for anyone who wants to go off grid. They are self-reliant
They are still produced today. Mostly in India. This is why you can still get the parts. Mine is from the 1970, but basically looks like a Singer type 15
I use to work with a bloke that would go round the 2nd hand shops and car boot sales and buy up old machines to send back to Kenya for his familys shop
Thsi is common in most Indian tailor stores too. But since past few years, more electronic ones are getting popular
And she doesn't have to worry about power adapters moving to a new country!
This feels like a love letter to your new addition! I look forward to seeing the beautiful reconstructions you make in the future x
I want one
My mother taught me how to sew on one of these as I was afraid of electric machines (too fast!) I found the control and the rhythm so soothing.
Mine too my mom used to sew on these type of machine and now I am using it , I usually don't like electric one cause of there speed ❤️
My great grandmother's is a 1906 model, and compared to the almost pristine condition of the lacquer on the base of yours, I am flabbergasted the degree to which hers has been polished off. To think how much use it must have taken to achieve such a feat of erosion... Extraordinary.
The pure joy on Bernadette’s face while she opens the machine is so heartwarming and adorable. ☺️
When you turned the key to open the case of the machine it was like you were turning the key into history. I know I've stated this on previous posts but imagining what this machine has sewn before makes my mind go wild. Where has this machine lived, been owned, traveled, or traversed. It's A MAGICAL machine!! It's a 130 years old and still works and you know it's provenance. What a gem! One day, I too, will own a piece of magical history - I just need to talk my husband into it after my foray into expensive modern machinery. He'll probably end up surprising me one day because he knows how much I value you those things old and new.
Imagine what a boon all sewing machines have been to their owners. Sewing by hand isvof course something many people like but imagine if you had no choice but sew by hand. Whether you were making clothes for your family/ business a sewing machine would have been magical
A practical question: how do you find more needles as needed?
@@marjorierutimann8577 these models use exactly the same needles as modern machines.
@@MizzMaree7 Thank you, Mary. That amazes me!
@@marjorierutimann8577 The modern needle was called the 15x1 needle by Singer and was first introduced on Singer Improved Family High Arm sewing machines way back in 1879.
A thing of beauty. There is something about watching all of the moving parts working together that is fascinating to me.
Luca teaching Ruth is priceless. He's so calm and sweet in fr videos, you can tell he's having a combo of fun and frustration🤣
I imagine that the person who got that originally was just as excited, and probably would love to see Bernadette use it in this way.
As someone who had to hand-sew a tabard that took half an hour, and then managed to borrow an 1890s Singer and a similar amount of sewing took 2 minutes with no hand or wrist issues with a perfectly even stitches, I can say the excitement was very, very real.
God's Son is coming back soon, repent while there is still time! DO NOt take the mark of the beast vaccine! New World Order is here! Stock up on food and necessities! The Bible said many would die of fami ne
@@starduststudios5671 you're joking, right? this has to be satire
I think your solution to the treadle slamming against the spoke is historically accurate enough - someone 100 years ago probably would have used a rag, so a napkin is the modern equivalent i feel...
I was going to say! I agree that they would have probably used a rag, or a piece of wood to stabilize the legs.
I think she should use a thick rag because tissue paper is going to get crunched very soon…
Better than have the leather break at least. That happened to my grandma's Treadle machine. If I remember correctly it has the ability to hide the machine in the desk. I know my mom got rid/sold the treadle machine because she could find no use for it
My inner wood butcher wants to cut and shape a bit of wood to fill that gap...
@@philiparny3178 precisely - the machine deserves no less than nice oak, and a seamless wood to wood joint
A Victorian Singer treadle sewing machine -- Wow! Once it's sorted out, it should last another 100 years. This is a really useful piece of kit for any seamstress. A treasure!
Miss Banner, you never fail to amaze me with your cinematography and your ✨immaculate✨ vibes
The way she smiles ear to ear looking at the machine..that's true love
I suggest everyone turning on their CC. There is an entire effort and entertainment going unseen!
I was about to comment the exact same thing! The subtitles are just wonderful...
It definitely makes it easier for my brain to understand everything she’s saying. I sometimes struggle to process speech, so while Bernadette usually enunciates very clearly in her voiceovers, good captions are always welcome.
My grandmother had a treadle sewing machine that she used regularly. I learned to sew as a young girl, on both my mother's 1950s electric and this antique model. I didn't grow up learning to love sewing as much as you do, but I've always been glad that I learned utilitarian sewing and I really, really got a kick out of watching this video. My favorite of yours, by far. Hope you and your mechanical friend are still enjoying each other's company.
TENSION TROUBLESHOOTING TIP I can't remember if I mentioned this in my multiple burbles on this thread trying to share what I hope are some useful tips... Please forgive me if I'm repeating myself but with thousands of comments on this thread checking back to see would take forever (and I'd probably get the urge to offer help on yet something else!) :-)
I have a couple of really old machines (one is the same model and age as the one in this video - but nothing like as pretty and quite different decals). Getting the tension on them just right is a bit hit-and-miss. The reason turns out to be (after much investigation) that when I remove the leaf spring from the shuttle the underside of the leaf spring and/or the shuttle case has a little "groove" in it that is the rut made by enough thread going through the shuttle to sew a seam to the moon and back. The thread (nearly) always want to settle into that groove which prevents the leaf spring from doing its job properly. I think the times when it hits rather than misses are the odd occasions when the thread from the bobbin doesn't slip into that groove.
I consulted with experts and they say there's no remedy they know of for that - it's best to get a replacement (genuine vintage) shuttle that doesn't have that problem. Then you can actually achieve the proper bobbin thread tension after which you don't need to mess with it much again. You can do nearly everything you ever need to do after that just by adjusting your top tension. For my shuttles that suffer from this malady they have very loose tension. I won't get rid of them. I'll keep them as separate shuttles to use for those times when you really want a loose bobbin tension - it will save me having to change the tension setting on my "usual" sewing shuttle.
Thank you
GoiGi
In
Vintage
My grandfather worked for Singer sewing machines for most of his working life, whenever I see you using one I think of him and it makes me smile
this is so cute...
My father, too. I have the same model as Bernadette's, just 3 years older.
Two of my great-grand-mother had Singer sewing machines, and one was in our living room when I was a child. I was so fascinated, whenever my mom lift the chest to clean this beauty I was amased, and I think it still worked, because I used to turn the big wheel with my little feets and watch the needle do its thing. I never knew the great-grand-mother who owned this sewing machine, but I somehow felt connected with her when operating it.
When You were unpacking that machine, you was like a child who got an EPIC christmas gift :D
I _LOVE_ that super happy squee smile she gets in those moments!
To be honest, if someone shipped me my grandma's treadle machine, my reaction would be the same. Plus they'd get a medal, since that means they managed to sneak into my mother's house and liberate it from its forced languishing. My mother knows how to sew; she's just too stubborn to learn how to use the heirloom treadle she has since she uses strictly modern machines. 😑
Things I love about this video:
The music.
The cinematography and editing.
Le epic dress.
The step-by-step restoration and repair of an old and beautiful machine.
Improvised paper towel technology.
History squee!
And also everything else. 😁
At some point the enjoyment isn’t from the product being made, but the intimacy from your body being the most machinery being used.
I'm not THAT old, and I remember as a child “helping” my mother (or more accurately, being tolerated by my mother) as she would use her New Home treadle machine (handed down from an elderly aunt, I think.) She'd sit at the machine and I'd sit on the floor and work the treadle per her verbal directions. A voice-controlled sewing machine, imagine that! I still remember the exact feeling of my fingers gripping the cast-iron filigree on the treadle.
It sounds like a wonderful memory. I have the bottom part of a foot treadle machine my dad got my grandma. I am going to repair and repaint it.
What a great memory! ❤
How precious is that memory! Plus, it is similar to mine. I grew up with a treadle driven Singer 31, and I learned how to sew on it. Unfortunately it got lost after my mother bought an electric machine.
What a wonderful memory!
The foot treadle will continue to move for a while after you stop pumping. Be very mindful of Cesario's location. More than once, our spaniel got her paw or tail mashed by Mom's treadle-operated machine.
YES! This is a very important consideration and it is all too easy to forget that a critter will regard the area under the treadle as a nifty hiding place.
VERY good suggestion!!!
I have several singers as well as a German machine. My favourite is over 130 years old, they all sew brilliantly. I learnt to sew on a treadle machine when I was 5 years old. They are beautiful functional pieces of art.
You’ve probably fixed it by now, but if you haven’t;
The wood piece; if you can remove it, do so as it will make the rest of this a lot easier. apply paper tape like painters tape to one side. Then apply wood putty or if you can’t find it mix together fine sawdust with glue. Apply the mixture to the gap. Tape the second side and allow to dry. If you have a dowel rod or a coin that is the same size as the hole, that can help you prevent overfilling. Once dry, sand down so that it looks nice and flat. Paint desired color.
The second option is to take the wood to someone who can make you a new one.
Also: that old oil looks really bad, any residue might gunk up the machine. You may need to soak the moving metal pieces in a solvent, WD-40 or even gun oil would be great. After soaking a few minutes and gently going over with a metal wire brush, dry off with a paper towel. Gently oil with your preferred lubricant and replace the parts. Clean oil means smoother movements and increases the longevity of the machine.
For the love of all that is good, NEVER let WD40 near this machine. To clean parts, first, try sewing machine oil with a soft cloth. If that doesn't break it down, remove the (unpainted) part and try sewing machine oil with a soft toothbrush. If it's *really* bad, the most stubborn gunked on oil will clean up nicely with some Simple Green in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. But never let Simple Green near any painted parts.
Always start with sewing machine oil. Never ever let WD40 near these antiques.
Also, Evaporust is great for removable parts that get rusty, but again, always remove them from the machine, and preferably the room, before using.
“We are confined to the span of a human lifetime.” Damn. Won’t get to sleep tonight.
Ikr? Mortality is so annoying!
@@wildflower1397 I plan on ignoring it, myself. ;)
@@taimdala Good plan... let's both do that. 😂
@@wildflower1397 yes, let's. After all, I've already ignored my bedtime. LOL!
@@taimdala Me too! Blah haa haa! 😂😂
Oh she's simply gorgeous ❤️ I love how these old singers not only built to last and survived their way to us, but how they decorated with flower details and how elegant they were
Why we ever stopped decorating everyday objects purely for the sake of it, I will never understand. 😭
@@bernadettebanner
Cost, probably. It’s usually cheaper to make undecorated things.
@@ragnkja That is the most irritating part of modern construction.
@@ragnkja Also philosophical principles from designers from the early 20th century such as Adolf Loos - author of "Ornament and Crime" - that considered decoration not only useless and/or tacky, but * morally wrong *
@@edmundpelhamgrey5562
“Morally wrong”? Because it’s “wasteful” or “frivolous”, perhaps?
I just got my first sewing machine!! Im gonna start with a very basic apron. Im excited 🥰
I got one of those that had been an end table in my parents' room, and discovered sewing on it. These machines love to sew fast. When you sew fast, they have a wonderful momentum. If you try to sew slowly, they balk, or the treadle wheel goes backwards and makes the thread in the machine snarl up, or something like that- or you have to constantly nudge the handwheel to keep it in the right direction. It's interesting to think about how that might have changed how our clothes looked.
I never realized how happy I am when you greet us with "ladies and gentlefolks"
I am a gentlefolk !
(And this whole video made me weirdly emotional)
Legitmately, as a nonbinary person as she was saying "ladies and gent" my heart sank, thinking she was gunna not welcome me into the youtube video, and then she said "gentlefolks" instead of "gentlemen" and I was so happy!
That's just the bubble Bernadette creates. Some sort of wrinkle in time and space. I have no interest in sewing, but love history and when I watch her videos it feels like this glimpse into the past that I find very soothing and relaxing. I envy her ability to do this.
@@foamer443 - I concur. I love watching Bernadette's videos. I use them to help me fall asleep some mornings (yay night shift).
@@tootpaste427 I believe her sibling is non-binary
@@sarahshaw6164 yes... yes they are
Not going to lie. I feel really bad now. My mom has a old sewing machine like this but we used it as furniture. We use the counter space by our front door (for car keys and mail). Not sure if we still have the machine part. My grandma was born in 1912. It was her mothers... so I’d imagine it was from the 1890s. I don’t sew but I definitely appreciate the art form.
EDIT. HOLY COW. I went and looked and the machine folds up inside the table... I wonder if it still works. The leather band has a thick hardy staple in it as well. I wonder if that was common repair work? My family’s machine is by Davis and it has a serial number too. Ah. It was a company out of my grandpa’s hometown. I assume my grandmother got it from her husbands mother. It’s really hard to date since the sewing company was bought out by 1924. But it seems to be around 1870s-1880s.
2nd Edit. I took half the day to clean it and see if it was working. It is/can. Might need some oil and small repairs but it seems in decent condition.
I sew on a treadle machine from the 20's (not Singer though). These machines are absolute beasts. As lomg as it hasn't rusted, it may not need repairs. Just cleaning. And oil.
The machine from the 80s and 90s really are built different🤣
I live in a Third World country and you can buy the leather belt for threadles with the industrial staple attached to only one end so you need to form the circle yourself. I use an electrical machine myself bc I can afford both the machine and the alternative electrical resources but most tailors and seamstresses in my country only use threadles.
that was a great story
The staple holding the drive belt together isn't a repair - it's the original way they were joined. The belts were leather and would stretch over time, the staple allowed a home sewist to take it apart, tighten it by trimming the ends, and re-join it 😊
I’ve collected and reconditioned antique treadle sewing machines years ago. They are literally works of art. I’ve never sold a machine that wasn’t in working condition and I had enjoyed the workmanship of days gone by within these machines. Many of them were built to last. I still have 4 very special machines and an antique hand crank “portable “ that I treasure. I hope you many happy times with your treasures. 🥰💖
My uncle sold my grandma's fully functional and working Singer for scrap metal because I couldn't shell out that very moment to have it transported 300km. RIP buddy, I loved sewing on you so much. :(
The belt is supposed to be stapled like that. I repaired my grandma's treadle machine and the belt was just the same. Also if you want to you could clean the outside of the machine with a bit of singer oil on a rag and a bit of light pressure. You'll really be able to see the gold of the decoration!
I rubbed off the wax coating on mine so very light pressure when cleaning
My great-grandmother's machine is the same way! My family always assumed my crafty great uncle had "fixed" it at some point for my grandmother.
I cleaned an old singer sewing machine as well, and read that oil residues should be cleaned with oil: you put new sewing machine oil on the dirty places, let it sit a while (very important) and then wipe it delicately. It worked quite well for me.
From what I've read of manuals and repair blogs, it's because the leather stretches with use and you can restable it easily yourself and retighten the belt. I'm glad someone mentioned this, I was checking comments to find out!
I'm so glad someone commented about this! I hope she sees this, I want so bad to tell her the belt is fine!
Can we just take a moment to appreciate whoever does the captions for Bernadette? Because wow do they know how to describe the ambience, the vibe if you will
"squee." (Or "squee". For the UK.)
YES! Mad respect for the captions on this channel!
In one of her past videos, she explained her editing process and I believe she said that she does them herself!
They're done by an outside captioning service, then reviewed to correct technical vocabulary by my fabulous assistant, Betsy. She also has much fun with the noise descriptions. :D
@@bernadettebanner As a deaf person, I so much appreciate the effort you put in the CC!
I own my grandmothers antique singer. This inspires me to locate a belt and see what I can do with it. Awesome!
Absolutely love your beautifully put together video . So respectful of the machine , history and viewers!!! It brought back some childhood memories at my Grandmother's place , she loved sewing and made our clothes when little (bless her many many kindnesses). 💕
The look of sheer joy on your face as you unwrapped it was so wholesome.
It was like a kid unwrapping a present!
My grandmother owns a treadle machine. She inherited it from someone in the family who was a seamstress, and she used it for normal sewing needs and repairs while she raised four children through the 50s and 60s. She only bought an electric sewing machine in the 70s when my mom and my aunt were learning to sew at 4H and they were learning on electric machines. She was very salty about having to buy the electric machine from the tone in her voice when she was telling me about the treadle machine. 😂
My grandmother had a treadle machine too. She said it was a wedding gift (my grandparents married in 1921). When my aunt got her a side pedal electric sewing machine (sometime in the 1960's?) , my Nana also did a lot of grumbling too. She would always be reaching for the treadle, forgetting that the newer machine had the side pedal and I suspect she gave up a lot of sewing because she could never get used to the electric Singer.
@@stephaniecowans3646 I learned machine sewing on a treadle so I feel for your grandmother. I don't usually sew, but I'd pick a treadle over an electric pedal, too. (And even hand sewing if necessary!) There is a rhythm and a momentum that once you got used to gives a sense of security with the needle that just isn't the same with the electric machine.
An irresponsible late night e-shopping impulse purchase?
(Looks at the recently-bought 3D printer)
Relatable...
Is it possible, as a last ditch effort, to use that 3D printer to recreate parts sturdy enough to use in the antique sewing machine? Or perhaps visit a machinist who takes on metal working projects on the side?
Hi Bernadette. I have been using a Singer treadle machine like yours for over 40 years. It was given to me complete with original instructions. When I got it I dismantled the treadle part and painted it. The thing you call a spoke is actually called a pitman arm and is wooden. I would suggest you get yours repaired by a competent woodworker. When winding the bobbin you do not want the needle going up and down. To stop this turn the milled edge knob in the middle of the flywheel anticlockwise. (Mine was stuck because of gummy old oil.) It is possible to unship the belt on mine by treadling backwards and operating the lever that encircles the belt. This is necessary to hinge up the machine to oil it underneath. Rotating in the normal direction automatically gets the belt back on. I have treadled mine for many miles and when you get the hang of treadling you can really motor!
You probably know you can buy different needles for leather, and more delicate fabrics. Happy sewing John
What a beautiful machine you've found! Two tips for working the treadle that may help with preventing back and joint pain. First, scoot in a little closer to the table so you can get your whole foot on the treadle. You'll find that you can press down with both the ball and heel of your foot and get better control of the motion. Second, consider treadling with both feet on the treadle. If you prefer to use just one foot, be careful that you are still sitting square to the table surface. Otherwise you'll end up twisting your upper body towards the machine and it can be quite painful on the lower back!
Two feet seem to work best for control
You are so right, Genny! Two footed treadle work is best practice! I love spending time on my treadle machine in front of my window with no electronic distractions. The daylight is wonderful, view of trees, birds and squirrels entertaining. So soothing and peaceful!
Ok but Bernadette's speech at the end about how there's still so much we don't know actually made me tear up
The whole ending gave me very "a trailer for a very moving, artisting movie" kinda feel and I live for it. Like wth Bernadette, how did you manage that, it's almost as impressive as the machine itself.
by the ending, i lowkey wondered if i was still watching a video about an antique sewing machine
This brings back memories. I learned to sew on my grandmothers when I was about 10. I 'm 65 now.
Watching this video brings so many memories, I remember my grandma sewing in a machine really similar to this one! This was back in 1985 or 86 (i was 5/6 years old) i remember that little drawer and everything, the sounds that machine made is something I loved since I was realky attached to my granny, thanks for bringing back these memories of a joyful and simpler time of my life ❤
You know that scene in Toy Story 2 with the old guy repairing Woody? This reminds me of that sorta, so satisfying to watch.
Only Bernadette can make a shot of oil-covered paper towels look aesthetically pleasing
@@starduststudios5671 what the fuck is wrong with you
@@stepbro4028 Poor lad, he is sick.
Back in 1988, I was TDY to Mildenhall with the USAF, and bought an old Singer in a wood case from an antique shop. I love antiques and wanted something from England that I could bring home on our C-130. Well, that machine sat on the floor of wherever we were stationed for the next 25 years.
Then one day my wife asked if I could make a fancy, girly head board for our special needs daughter who loves all things pretty and girly. I needed a sewing machine! I picked up that old Singer, opened the case, started investigating how it works, and amazingly, everything vital was there, and everything worked. Whoever had owned this machine used her, a lot! She must have sewn miles of fabric! The decals are nearly worn off and the paint rubbed to the metal in places. There is evidence that the machine has been repaired a time or two. She was heavily used, but not abused. I could see that the owner (caretaker), took really good mechanical care of her machine until one day, over 100 years later, she was abandoned, no longer needed, and sold off to an antique dealer. Then I came along and saw that she was still a sewing machine, and could still perform exactly as intended. She needs very little space, she doesn't even need electricity! Just a little patience. All she needed was some cleaning, a little oil, a new needle, and a new rubber wheel for the bobbin winder.
I too refer to my sewing machine as a she, because she is beautiful & graceful, delicate looking, but sturdy underneath. She is also hard working and wonderfully designed!
I'm a guy, so maybe a see this antique Singer differently than most of the ladies commenting here. I also do all the sewing in our house, and I love gadgets, so a mechanical marvel like my sewing machine is perfect for me. And thanks to the advent of this new technology called the internet, I found out that my American made Singer is the little VS3, manufactured in 1894, furnished with a bentwood case.
I still employ her very often. I just sewed up some cloth napkins for a church tea party my wife and daughter will attend this weekend.
Hi! Jane here. Congratulations! Your treadle machine is beautiful!
I sewed with a treadle for over 35 years until my sight weakened. I sewed clothing and or toys for our 8 children with it. I loved it. You can buy replacement belts from any company who sells to the Amish. Early on I had a sewing repair man come over and inspect mine. He was thrilled to see it! It was in perfect shape.
Enjoy your treasure!
Just clicked in but have already heard that your machines are a year apart and maybe it's strange of me to think that that's kind of nice? They're like siblings in the same house now! 🏠
And it's a newer model! It's like an upgrade! :)
I have two made in 1895, a treadle 27k and a hand crank 28k
So in my house there's always been an old table that I didn't even realize was a sewing machine until I watched this video. I looked and it's also a Singer and I looked up the serial number and it's from 1912!? I can't believe this I'm still in shock
Treasure what you've found. Will you be learning to use it? :)
@@warriormaiden9829 Well it's in definite need for some cleaning and maybe some repairs but yes I definitely want to learn to use it. I'm told it was my great grandmother's and I still can't believe it's been here all this time!
Yes, Singer produced those sewing machines that function the same way as Bernadettes, but where the sewing machine can either be moved down or flipped down, so that you have a little table. My friend has also one of those, from 1907, bought from a flee market for 30 bucks cause that belt was broken. We repaired it, took the machine apart for cleaning and oiling, and then we moved on to sew a viking linen tent (Oseberg style) with it. We took turns in sewing and the other holding/pulling the fabric (we are talking about several kilograms of linnen, afterall). Just at the very end, when turning the last seam allowances (that were about half a centimeter thick) we had to switch for my grandmas 1960s sewing machine (Miele, i think). But yeah, all the outfits of the viking group were sewn mostly on that same Singer machine, except the outer visible seems, which were done by hand.
Oh my goodness, how awesome. Use it, treadle machines are wonderful to sew with.
my childhood desk was a table from one of these (the sewing machine had long since been removed).
The women who sewed regularly on these treadle machines had some serious strength in their legs. I recently received a singer treadle as a gift and after 10 minutes, I'm spent. I do love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. It is an experience that brings me in touch with the past and I love every second.
My mennonite aunt had and used a singer treadle machine daily. She made all of her clothes on it and all the clothes for her family, as well as many quilts and some mennonite-style clothes and quilts as gifts for me to wear, which were my favorite. I learned how to sew on that machine thanks to her. She also taught me to crochet. Sparked a lifelong love of sewing, knitting, and crocheting for me. It's been a joy to watch that same love be sparked into my 4 year old daughter, who is about to finish her first alphabet sampler she has been stitching.
I am sitting in a house watching this video on the site of where that machine was probably made! There are so many references to Singer and little logos dotted around this town :)
DO tell us where you live ! I have no idea where Singers were made !
Bernadette S machine said NY on it, but there was a huge factory in Glasgow which even had its very own train station!
@@m.maclellan7147 singer was made in different places, Even in russia!
the leather belt comes with the metal staple. when the leather stretches out, trim the end, pierce the leather, and you have a new belt.
Yes. My great grandmother's treddle Singer also had the leather belt with the metal staple. Thanks for the explanation of why it's that way.
The belt on her machine doesn't look like the original. The original staples are much sturdier than what we see here. I had to buy a new belt to my 1897 machine, the staple that came with it was very flimsy looking, same as here with her machine, so I just took the original staple and put it on the new belt.
I am legally blind, so voiceover sometimes puts the wrong words in sorry
Welcome to the UK! I totally get what you're saying about how old machines can tell stories, they feel like something more. I'm big into railway history and I find something oddly romantic about the fact that you can take an old lump of metal, breathe life back into it and then watch it continue to perform its task a century later.
this was a really fascinating video but I just have to say your production quality has increased like, exponentially. It's such a joy to watch this channel grow.
Bernadette: "rather than the electric machines that are made to adapt to us"
Me, who fails to even get an even rhythm with the peddle of the electric machine: 👁👄👁
I find the electric pedal is way too sensitive and the machine "runs away" from me and that for a big portion of my sewing i'm turning the wheel by hand.
@@jermainerace4156 I would too if I had the option, honestly! Anything faster than the slowest speed makes me mess up the seam so it's really a game of "when do you start and can I keep my foot at the exact same position" 😂
@@jermainerace4156 you can adjust the default speed in the pedal usually, if you pop it open you can use a screw for that, it helped me a ton!
@@katicarozgonyi4570 OOooo Thanks! I'll look into that.
@@jermainerace4156 you should try a commercial machine! They take of like a greyhound and sound like a machine gun! I eventually got fine with them in fashion school, but since I'm not doing commercial work I don't prefer it.
I am blown away by the editing of this video. You took us back in time, sparked our imagination, and created a romantic drama around this beautiful piece of historic machinery.
This reminds me of when I got my machine. It's just a 99k hand crank, not a full treadle machine because I wanted it for small repairs, not for making clothing. But all the little fixes and adjustments and figuring out how to get it running smoothly was very much the same process. It was originally a wedding gift for the lady I bought it from (she was going into care and couldn't take it with her). It had all her old spools, bobbins, pins and so on inside, along with her hand-written note showing how to thread it. I love my little old machine. She runs so nicely now, gently clicking away with no electric whirring, no power cords, no frail plastic. She just works quietly and diligently, just as I imagine her original owner did as a new bride sewing for her young family.
This was the only kind of sewing machine i had access to when living in Cambodia. I sewed many things on this machine and really enjoyed it. I miss it.