Investigating One of the Oldest Victorian Sewing Machines! 1876 Wilcox & Gibbs Chainstitch

Extra special thanks to Michael, Harriet, and Harriet's mother (not, as mis-stated in the video, Michael's!) for allowing me to give this new friend a home. 😌

Notes:

Editing by @Dani Banner
@danbanstudio

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[harrietjordan]

Bernadette said she is happy for me to share some family history about this sewing machine:
1. My mother bought it in the 1960s when she was living in London.
2. It was in a shop in the Portobello Road, marked at £5, and she asked if that was the right price (thinking it could not be that cheap). The man said she could have it for £2!
3. After she came back to Australia, she used it to make all my baby clothes.
4. It had been sitting in her storage room for many years, not likely to be used again, and she was wondering how to find someone who would like it.
5. So Michael asked Bernadette if she knew of anyone.
6. And now we have this wonderful video!

[oneeco]

Imagine making a machine in the Mid 1890's and getting positive reviews 130 years later.

[rburns]

If anyone had told fifteen-year-old me that I would one day be this interested in a 150 year old sewing machine, I'd have thought they were mad. And yet, here we are.

[KuroiandNoukon]

The envy that immediately manifested in me when she started up the machine was overwhelming. Never in my life have I heard such a quiet machine.

[tjs]

When my grandmother passed away at 100 years of age, we found a dozen different sewing machines in her house. Admittedly, she was the daughter of a seamstress and the granddaughter of a tailor so many of them were what she considered family heirlooms. Amongst them is a Wilcox & Gibbs chainstitch very similar to yours with a serial number of 788, which places it as being made in 1858.

[jbaby]

I wish there was something like this contemporary, as it is so small, quiet, and physical. It's so beautiful and it looks like a delight to work with

[bees]

Saying it feels like a "tool" rather than a "machine" really hit me, because one of the biggest roadblocks I've always had with machine sewing is that I dislike the feeling of the machine between myself and what I'm working on. It kind of feels like the machine is doing something, rather than that I'm doing something. Meanwhile, with knitting, crochet, braiding, etc (including hand sewing) I'm the one doing the thing, I'm just using some tool to accomplish it. I would definitely be interested to try one of these out one day should I ever find one!

[myhandsaslanguage]

When I saw those stitches, my jaw dropped. Almost makes me wonder why we switched to the bobbin machines. I’d be curious to know why technology moved in that direction as opposed to the chain-stitch machines. There must be some interesting reasons/stories behind that.

[karenpeck]

“We know one another’s temperaments, ” and nods to the off-camera lock stitch machine. Priceless!

[glynismarsh]

When I was a young girl in the 1950’s I was given for Christmas a toy sewing machine. It actually sewed and I was interested to note that the stitch it made was a chain stitch like the antique machine. Just one stitch length was available. It was pretty neat and I used it for dolls clothes. I always felt it wasn’t a legitimate machine though because of a lack of bobbin. Now I know different. How interesting this was!

[DannyJane.]

What entices me the most is the sheer BEAUTY of this machine, as compared to its bulkier, utilitarian younger sisters. It's small size, elegant style, and simple functionality bridge the gap between TOOL and ART. You can keep it in your living space as an ornament when you're not actually sewing with it.

[andrewploy]

Bernadette's reaction to "unboxing" the machine and its function are the most wholesome and precious things I've seen in months.

[Sanyaenyenwa]

Never mind it's functionality, from a purely aesthetic point of view that little machine is just *beautiful*! Also, the lack of noise speaks for a well thought out design and quality manufacturing.

[centurycountess]

This machine is literally the Holy grail of sewing history. To see one still exists and in working condition is amazing.

[ashneehs]

I swear I'm obsessed with how "simple" and tiny this machine is. And for some reason it looks like a must have item of a household like plates or shears. I want one. I need one.

[m.caterina]

Dear dear Bernadette, I want to share a sweet memory with you and other antique sewing lovers.
My daddy (unfortunately died of covid a few months ago) has been repairing and restoring sewing machines all his life. I own a hand operating 1913 Singer, , which he had restored to perfection. My dad from Heaven will be very proud of you!🥰

[BusinessWolfRay]

It's incredible to see something so old but so efficient, precise, and quiet. I know before watching this my thought was "Technology made things better and more efficient" but honestly, I think this is one of the best machines I've ever seen. And it's non electric. From 1876. Imo, sometimes newer really isn't better at all. I would love to pick one of these up for straight stitching.

[nussnager]

That´s not only a sewing machine, it´s also a piece of high mechanical art and brilliant engeneering. It´s so peaceful and wholesome to work with such a great piece. Thanks so much that you shared this with us!

[christineherrmann]

I'm actually just amazed as little has changed from the original designs- tensioner, channel for the thread, thread mount, wheel, belt... it's fascinating. What a great bequest, and I can't think of a more fitting steward.

[joanderson]

Bernadette's little happy/curious expression every time she discovers or explores a new facet of history makes me so happy! I love seeing how excited she is about her craft