I bought a (Working!) Victorian Sewing Machine 😯 | 1892 Singer Treadle

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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Beyond YouTube:
Management contact for business enquiries:

Music:
'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

[bernadettebanner]

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. :)

[marinalopez]

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” 💕

[Jennybird]

Bernadette now has two beautiful Victorian sewing machines, so logically she will probably still hand sew practically everything 😂

[fiannaconnolly]

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.

[ShelbyZealand]

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!"

[JamieTheMime]

i feel like "jam a rag in it to make it function right for now" is the most historically accurate solution imaginable

[teridahlin]

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.

[jbor]

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!

[sharonrimsza]

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.

[donquijotedegranada]

so... bernadettefinished her metamorphosis and became a real vintage timetraveler seamstress

[youtubewatcher]

"I think this will do, at least for now" is perhaps the *most* historically accurate solution possible.

[hannawhitehead]

" 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

[anonymousperson]

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 :)

[bananachip]

It's incredible that this machine works. I mean, she's survived WARS.

[lyreparadox]

I strongly suspect that _'shove something in the hole until we can get around to fixing it'_ is completely Historically Accurate™.

[fulloflife]

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.

[GlasApplen]

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.

[destineedelaney]

This video is honestly on par with documentary level quality.

[rachela.]

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!

[madisonginn]

Can you imagine a movie produced by Miss Banner? Not to mention an historical film, it would be breathtaking.