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. :)

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” 💕

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!"

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 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!

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

" 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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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!

The sheer JOY in Bernadette's voice and on her face are infectious, I love it!

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

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!

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.

"What!? Bernadette got an antique Singer?!" *drops everything in the evening routine and watches the video in a towell*

This video is honestly on par with documentary level quality.

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

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 😁❤️

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😊

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 :)

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.

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 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!

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.

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. 🥰

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

*me at work on my phone watched Bernadette clean a sewing machine* "Rimer.... what are you doing over there?" "Super important work, Chief...."

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.

A thing of beauty. There is something about watching all of the moving parts working together that is fascinating to me.

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.

"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

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.

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🤣

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.

Bernadette's face when "unboxing" this machine is what happiness is made of.

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!

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.

The pure joy on Bernadette’s face while she opens the machine is so heartwarming and adorable. ☺️

This feels like a love letter to your new addition! I look forward to seeing the beautiful reconstructions you make in the future x

Miss Banner, you never fail to amaze me with your cinematography and your ✨immaculate✨ vibes

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. 😁

The way she smiles ear to ear looking at the machine..that's true love

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.

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). 💕

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.

I suggest everyone turning on their CC. There is an entire effort and entertainment going unseen!

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.

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.

I own my grandmothers antique singer. This inspires me to locate a belt and see what I can do with it. Awesome!

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

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’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. 🥰💖

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.

When You were unpacking that machine, you was like a child who got an EPIC christmas gift :D

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.

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)

Find a furniture restorer. Take him the wood piece that has rot. Ask him to use same type wood and match stain to original. He will remove the strap, cut a piece of new wood and, using the old piece as a pattern, will draw the shape on the new wood, at the same time marking where to keep in the area were the rot us. He'll use a router to reshape the new bottom piece. He'll then join the original main stem with the new part. This will save the majority of the original piece. Then he'll sand and match the stain. Make sure he knows where the pressure is in that rod so he knows the best place and strongest way to join. Then he put on lacquer or other finish and reattach the leather. Hey... you're in London. You will definitely find someone who specializes in that Era of restoration.

I just got my first sewing machine!! Im gonna start with a very basic apron. Im excited 🥰

At some point the enjoyment isn’t from the product being made, but the intimacy from your body being the most machinery being used.

“We are confined to the span of a human lifetime.” Damn. Won’t get to sleep tonight.

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

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

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.

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. 😂

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

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.

Knowing I'm late to the post, but I absolutely love my Singer treadle (1938,) picked up at Salvation Army store, working machine with cabinet, missing the belt (which was easily bought online.) The sound and the rhythm of sewing with a treadle, once you get the hang of it, is so soothing! Love your channel!

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!

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

Thankyou for this lovely video. My nan (grandmother) had a singer and made many things for all of us as children and her own clothes. She was a machinist. I have happy memories as a child of watching her sew. She has been gone a few years now. This made me a little emotional and reminded me how much I still miss her every day. But in a good way. She was an exceptional woman but I'm biased 🙂 it bought me great joy to see your singer working again. It is good that this part of history is kept alive. Lovely just Lovely xx

You are so lucky to have this. My Grandmother taught me to sew on this exact kind if singer in the late 1940s. I was six. I hated threading the bobbin, but the machine was easy to use, once my feet could reach the peddles I was off and running. But once I had advanced to zippers a more modern machine was necessary. The old Singer was a beauty. Treat her kindly.

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! 🏠

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 :)

An irresponsible late night e-shopping impulse purchase? (Looks at the recently-bought 3D printer) Relatable...

I just got a one family owner treadle singer 1893. $50 fbm and a 221 singer featherweight 1948. Soooo happy. The 221 was still being used and I was able to set up and sew in minutes. So cute and adorable. Working on the treadle. The featherweight was mom's from an 80 yo woman. The treadle was great grandma who passed last week at 100! I feel very blessed to have both. When you buy an antique you buy a piece of a family and herstory.

Only Bernadette can make a shot of oil-covered paper towels look aesthetically pleasing

Ok but Bernadette's speech at the end about how there's still so much we don't know actually made me tear up

This brings back memories. I learned to sew on my grandmothers when I was about 10. I 'm 65 now.

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.

My grandmother received one as wedding gift. It was old when she got it and was still using it as late as 2005 alter curtains for her home. She wasn’t a prolific seamstress, she just used it to repair clothing ( and made at least one prom dress in the 60’s)

The way she is just smiling while peeling off the plastic on it is just so satisfying to watch for me, she looks genuinely so happy.

What a beautiful video and a historical gift to learning what she has to offer the modern day enthusiast. I so wish I had my great grandmother’s machine. No one seems to know what happened to her. Thank you for creating the video.

My grandmother gave me her treadle sewing machine when she moved to an assisted living place. It originally belonged to my great grandmother and I am so excited to start sewing on it!!!!!!!

You do not tie the thread to the bobbin, you put it on the left side catching the thread with the bobbin in the winder. This way when the bobbin runs out it won't jerk out of the bobbin holder inside the machine while you are sewing. I grew up using a treadle and it is probably part of the reason I am an engineer now. Use the flat of your hand to pull the wheel forward and to stop use the flat of your hand on the wheel as a brake. Thank you for this. My grandmother taught me to sew and I love her and that machine.