They are both some of the most pleasant sewing machines to own. I've owned both and currently only own a hand crank and it's a marvellously meditative experience. I am far less frustrated with my sewing than I am with my electric.
When my mother was very young, she trained as an apprentice to a very elderly gentleman tailor. By the time she was 20, she had become a professional tailor who specialized in man's suits. Her work was exquisite. She used no patterns and was capable of merely turning a garment inside out to see it's structure, drawing a few marks on gorgeous fabric and reproducing what she had memorized from seeing it that one time.. It's only as I've gotten older that I realize what an amazing talent she had. Since she trained on a Victorian pedal machine, that's what she sewed on for the rest of her life. She always said she couldn't "feel" the life of the garment under an electric machine. I grew up to the sound of the push-pedal merrily sewing along all through my childhood as she made my school uniforms, dresses and play clothes. After she passed away, I kept her machine for several years until I was no longer able to keep it with me. It broke my heart to see it go. Many years later I found the exact model of the machine she had in a 'junk' store, sitting unloved in a corner covered dust and cobwebs. I bought it for $15. The shopkeeper was glad to get rid of it. It has served as a beautiful table and conversation piece in my Victorian home for many years now. My goal for this winter is to get it working again, which includes finding a bobbin and a new belt and once again take up sewing. Your video provided the perfect inspiration and guidance for me. I do so love your videos and the gentility and talent you bring to these incredibly trying modern times. 💗
You can get a belt made at most saddle or cobbler shops. It's pretty easy to make, just need the correct measurement. Heck one of my machines has a Paracord belt because I been too lazy to cut a leather one and I don't use it often.
She sounds like an amazing woman. If anyone is looking for a belt and lives near Lancaster, PA, most of our locally owned sewing shops keep them in stock because the Amish still use treadle machines to sew.
Thank you for sharing your story, Em Cee.; how wonderful to have such memories. I have five sewing machines, one a 1922 Singer treadle, which I need to dust off and use again, thanks to BB's lovely and inspiring video.
I wish you could have seen my 92 year old mother’s face when I showed her this. She had a treadle singer and was a real expert at using it. She was talking to you throughout!! Thank you so much for transporting her back to her youth albeit for a short time!! Gill (Suffolk UK)
And what was she saying? I can't be the only who is curious, surely... I bet she had some great advice for all of us who are relative newbies at all this. Perhaps an "oral history" chat recorded with her about what she remembers of her early days learning to sew and what the machines were like to use would be a good idea (if she'd enjoy it, that is). I know I'd love to hear it - what she remembers about her parents' or grandparents' experience of the machines and how they affected their lives etc is just a "memory treasure trove"! Oh - how I love listening to people in their 90s and older talk about their memories of how things were done when they were young!! :-)
My grandma taught me to use both feet to treadle. The dominant foot is the driver and the nondominant one is the break. This gives you speed control. It also helps your legs work together for a longer sewing period without fatigue or calf cramps.
I was just about to post almost the exact same comment. The whole time I was thinking, "why aren't you using both feet?!" I believe it's also easier to get it started with both feet than with a single one.
Also was going on to comment this. Her friend would have got on so much easier in stockings feet as you can't really " feel" the connection to machine with shoes on.
I agree, it is always adviseable to maintain a "symmetry" / balance of your body when working on a machine, this not only helps avoid leg cramps but it is important for the spine.
I was taught to do the two foot thing on an industrial machine but I'm very right footed so I couldn't get the hang of it. I just use the one foot and then...get tired.
The best thing about these videos about old sewing machines is just hearing everybody’s stories in the comments about their antique sewing machines and how they got them.
When I was in rural remote Malawi in 2005, I tore my jeans, so they took me to see the tailor a few villages away. The dude was OLD, and he was rich by rural Africa standards because he was very important. And he was working with a machine just like this one. While he fixed my clothes I got his whole story, about how he'd gone south to work in the JoBurg gold mines in the 50's, then used a chunk of his earnings to buy and repair an old sewing machine, when the factories were selling off their old non-electrical ones. He was able to take it by train as far as northern Mozambique, but then he had to carry the thing *ON HIS BACK* through the jungle. Every night, he'd leave his precious machine at the base of a tree and then climb the tree to sleep safe from lions. He did this *FOR TWO WEEKS* before he reached his home in Malawi. Oh, and he still called Malawi "Nyasaland". After he finished fixing my jeans, I realized I had forgotten to discuss the price first, a serious error for a tourist. But this was no tourist trap I was in, so he wasn't out to bilk me too much. When I asked how much, his eyebrows when up high and he asked in Chichewa, "How about six cents?" I confirmed with my friend that I had heard the price correctly, and I asked if I could give him twenty-four cents without embarrassing him. He was so delighted with this exorbitant tip that he had me wait a moment while he dug up a couple of cassavas for me from his garden, and he even threw in a plastic grocery bag.
*stares at my 1898 sewing machine, that is exactly a hundred years older them me with utter horror - there's dust bunnies.* I think I need to clean it now. Thanks Bernadette.
I inherited my Grandma's singer treadle when she passed away. I was in High School, and used it on all of my sewing projects. I am still proud of how I figured out how to insert an invisible zipper and finish buttonholes on the machine!
Oh my gosh! How do you do the buttonhole on your grandma's machine? I've got my grandma's Singer treadle and have been doing buttonholes by hand. If there's a machine way I'd love to know!
@@dorothymilne7055 Hi there. I have a 1917 White treadle. It had been owned by a tailor and came with two attachments that were for zig-zag stitching and buttonholing. I think you can probably find them online somewhere. They work by moving the fabric where the new machines move the needle. They are ingenious. I use the zigzagger constantly to "serge" seam fabric.
My take away from this is that using a Victorian sewing machine is like driving stick shift; no matter how much you try to learn off the internet, you just have to experience it to truly understand
I feel its very much like a rocking chair or a swing, like you use your foot on the floor to start, but you kinda just rock/swing without needing to touch the floor, its all momentum. The treadle is the same, your foot is rocking with it back and forth, with a super tiny amount of pressure to just get the next movement to rock all the way down and your foot just keeps going following it back up.
This is exactly what I thought too. I have a stick shift ‘78 vw bug, and started a couple weeks ago with treadle machines. I thought wow, this is the same kind of learning curve?
I won't never forget that time my cousin was looking for a sewing machine and when I suggested a singer she told me she wanted some more tested brand. *More tested than singer*
....how the hell do you find a brand that's more tested than Singer? Like, you talk to a random person on the street and ask them about sewing machine brands, what are they gonna say? Necchi? Pfaff? Wardwell? No, they'll say Singer. (Don't get me wrong, those are good brands. Singer has just dominated the arena for so long that it's the first name people think of when they hear 'sewing machine'.) They've been making machines since *1865.* You can't get more 'tested' than that.
Well... The new Singer sewing machines are actually in no way comparable to the old Singer machines. The brand has been bought up by a different company, I think something Chinese, and the quality just isn't the same. If someone asked me for a recommendation of a new sewing machine, I wouldn't suggest a Singer.
As a antique sewing machine collector, the aesthetic cinematography-ness of this video gives me joy beyond no bounds. Also that shot of you threading the needle is the single most satisfying thing ever. But a few notes, -That top bar is actually not a thread guy, its a screw that adjusts the pressure on the presser foot adjusting it is usualy unnecassery unless your sewing something drasticly thin or thick. -the little open circle/hook/shape thing on the faceplate is the proper thread guide for sewing and bobbin winding, also i saw another comment on you missing your tension check spring! -also the big silver knob in the middle of your hand wheel can be disengaged to wind the bobbin without the needle moving!
I was wondering if her machine didn't have the option of disengaging the needle when winding the bobbin because it was so old. I have a couple of machines from the early 1900s that disengage but I've never worked on one from the late 1800s.
Yes, I have an 1898 Singer and sometimes when disengaging the clutch after she’s sat for awhile I have to hold the top of the bar the needle is attached to when I first get it going so it doesn’t continue to move, but keeping everything well oiled and using it regularly has made this less of an occurrence. Seeing videos and comment sections full of owners/collectors of these amazing machines sharing tips and knowledge in a polite way warms my heart.
@@mollysmith1711 When I got mine it was in very poor shape and missing a few pieces, she was just a side project, but slowly took over as a main focus. I sew on her daily now after quite a bit of work and research and still continue to make small repairs and replace worn bits here and there hoping to have a well working machine to pass along some day. Oh, another commonly overlooked part/adjustment on treadles is the screws and brace pieces located at the ends of the pitman arm, my machine was clunking rather loud even after a good oiling so I inspected and noticed the bottom screw was very loose, after an adjustment she runs nice and quiet.
I have a case of machine still wants to occasionally move with clutch disengaged so still rasing the presser foot is still good info for me, just in case.
Did I squeal and clap when Constance got the rhythm and feeling? Yes. Did the cat on my lap sink their claws into me in protest of being awoken? Also yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely! As a side note, the interplay of the light and patterns of the spokes on the larger wheel with the spaces on the legs of the machine is legit mesmerising to watch.
A few inconsistencies... 1. Loosen the clutch-wheel (that big silver one inside the balance wheel) to disengage the needle-mech. while bobbin-filling. Then tighten back up afterwards, to re-engage. 2. The top thread-guide is that little hook at the top of the faceplate, not the grooved rod (which is actually the presser-foot tension rod). 3. The bullet-thingies are shuttles, the spools that go into them are bobbins. Other than that, excellent video. Treadling is certainly something very different from anything else that people who use modern sewing machines would be use to, but it's a lot of fun. It can be exhausting if you're doing a lot of sewing, though.
I have this same hand cranked sewing machine (model VS3, also known as 28 and later models 128, 128k, etc) and I love it! I would like to add that both machines (and all machines, modern and old, afaik) have that clutch-wheel that should be disengaged before winding the bobin -like we do in modern machines- so the needle and the feed dogs do not move while the balance wheel spins. I would like to mention as well that the VS3 is also treadle-ready too, apart from hand cranked: it has a guide on the left side of the balance wheel for the belt and holes on the wooden base that match the ones on a table for the belt to go through! It's a truly beautiful and exciting piece of engineering
Also, the little hole on the side of the bobbin is where one pulls the thread through, so that it sets itself when started, and one doesn't have to worry about what "direction" they've wound it.
I got *really* into antique Singers during the pandemic. They are actually a *lot* more accessible and available to buy than I just assumed for a long time and I accidentally went from 0 machines to 11 very quickly. I've since rehomed a couple and need to let a couple others go but I will warn people that sometimes when you go down the antique sewing machine road, it becomes a very deep rabbit hole 😆
Glad I saw this in time, as a warning. I was just checking out the dutch craigslist (so to speak) and was surprised by how cheap they can be. Already had shortlisted a couple not too far away! Gonna put this on hold real quick.. 🤣
Warning for absolute beginners like myself: when Bernadette says oil she means special sewing machine oil. Any other kind of oil will ruin the machine. In WOII when there was a shortage of everything this happened. People used different oil and machines just stopped working, can still be cleaned I believe but is a lot of work. Also love the video!! 🥰
@@kibummmm No.While WD 40 is a lubricant, it has additives that will harden later and jam up the machine. Use only sewing machine oil on machines this old. It's very cheap, so there's really no excuse or reason to use anything else. Also sewing machine oil can be wiped all over the machine to clean it. In particular, it won't harm the pretty decals.
Watching you and Constance giggling and having fun together was such a delight. My sister owns our Grandma’s old treadle machine, it will be interesting to see her use it after watching this!
I just saw 2 singer machines at my local antiques store and after watching this I’ve made up my mind, I’m going back tomorrow to get one. These machines are so beautiful Update: I got a 15K-88 made in 1936. It’s in incredible condition and works beautifully. So happy I got her
I bought a 1912 singer yesterday and it works wonderfully!! Im 16 and my mom doesn’t know how to sew, so its amazing that someone can explain the process to me like this! Thank you!
It looks like it works like swinging on a swingset. You need to add a small push with each cycle of movement, at just the right time. If you try to push at the wrong time, you cancel out the cyclical pattern instead of adding to it.
Similiar idea of conserving momentum as with manual bellows in a 17th and 18th century forge. They were usually suspended so that the weight of the bellows pushed the air out into the forge from the upper half over the time span of half a minute or so, and sucked new air into the bottom half at the same time. As the bellows were lifted, the air in the bottom half was forced into the upper half through a one way vent in the static central divider, the vent made by a wood board over a hole with a leather hinge and leather seals around the edges. This allowed for a constant air preassure and flow into the forge which in turn results in an evenly heated furnace and a better quality of work due to predictability compared to older types of bellows. I belive the bellows of old church organs have a similiar construction for the same reason.
This! I thought of swings when she was describing it too! It's just like swinging on a swing - you have to get into the *swing* of it! 😁 You phrased it much better than I could've; well done!
You’ve definitely inspired me to try my great-grandmother’s c. 1930s Singer sewing machine again! I rescued it from being sent to auction (the actual tragedy of losing a family heirloom like that!) because I knew I would want to expand my knowledge beyond hand-sewing one day. It’s a hand-turned rather than treadle machine, but hoping I can follow along now that the process is demystified somewhat! Thank you!
I recently found the date of my great-grandmother's hand turn Singer, 1920! How incredible to have something that is 101 years old and very nearly still in entirely working order. It doesn't have the same bobbin as Bernadette's, but is otherwise very similar. I found a great tutorial about cleaning and restoring a similar model so I gave it a good clean but there's something wrong with the tension so I think professional help is needed to get it fully operational unfortunately.
Oh cool! I actually have a pretty treadle Naumann from late 1800s I was thinking of reviving recently - I got it like for 30 dollars from an old couple who used to sew everything on it when they were young. As the gentleman said "the only thing I know that can do silk and chiffon and heavy denim too". It's been standing in my room for about 7 years now so I suppose it'll take some TLC before the first use but it'll be so worth it!
I learned to use my mother’s 1960’s Kenmore electric when I was about 10 years old in the late 1970’s, but I learned to SEW when my sister showed me how to use our grandmother’s Singer treadle machine. The Singer went to my sister after my grandmother passed away, when I was only 4 years old. At that age, I hadn’t had the chance to have Grandma’s instruction on the machine, but I did remember that she kept it in pristine condition, the mechanisms carefully oiled and maintained, the cabinet polished, and the drawers stocked with all the appropriate accoutrements, thoughtfully arranged by hands that had raised 4 sons during the Great Depression. Although both of my father’s parents passed away when I was very young, I remember many visits ‘Downriver’, as that part of the state is called. Mostly, I remember the juxtaposition of their living room, which was very sleek and mid-century modern, against the corner that held her sewing machine. There was something so familiar and organic about the rhythm of the treadle, like a cross between a living heartbeat and some mysterious musical instrument, or the Wizard’s machine in “The Wizard of Oz”. This tour of your Singer treadle machine has brought back fond memories, and rekindled my interest in getting a treadle machine for myself.
I recently bought a 1923 treadle singer, and it's honestly my favorite machine I've ever used. However, I learned pretty quickly that treadles can sense your fear - as soon as your confidence dips, the wheel goes backwards just to remind you that you aren't the one in control of the situation 😆
Treading for bobbin winding, you’re wrapping the tread around the “top post” which is actually a pressure adjuster for the presser foot. You can screw this mechanism clockwise to increase pressure on the presser foot or anti-clockwise to release pressure on the presser foot. The thread should go through the thread guide on the face plate just as it does for normal machine operation. There’s actually a helpful illustration of this process in the singer 128k manual (available via ISMACS as linked in your description). Same again with threading the machine for normal use, you shouldn’t be using the pressure bar thumb screw threads, instead wrap it around the small eyelet with slit in the face plate and then continue as you had been treading. Also I think you’re missing the thread take up spring from the tension regulator (this is often damaged or missing from older machines) but is available as a spare part. If you want to replace it and you’re unable to find it yourself let me know.
My machine was missing that spring when I brought her home too, but I found a replacement on line very easily. Thanks for the information about adjusting the presser foot ☺ I had never noticed that it was adjustable.
I'm surprised Bernadette's machine has been sewing properly and without threads breaking, seeing it wound round the the presser foot adjustment thread was painful! However, I'm willing to bet she notices an improvement when it's properly set up.
My mother-in-law, who is in her 80s, has her grandmother's treadle Singer and table. She has said it will come to my daughter. I've bookmarked this and will share it with them both so that they can both watch it and learn more about their beautiful Singer.
There are more informative videos here on youtube, as well. :) She didnt show getting the thread into the bullet case. Also her machine is missing a spring (easily replaced) that has her threading it incorrectly.
In the center of the hand wheel (Singer calls it the 'balance wheel') is a knob that operates a clutch. Turn the knob to the left to disengage the balance wheel to wind a bobbin without running the machine. Turn and tighten the clutch knob to the right to run the machine normally.
Dear 'tribe', today i nearly cried happy tears as i took possession of my Great grandmother's 1898 Singer treadle sewing machine (i thought it had gone decades ago). Woodwork fully restored, metalwork freshly polished with beeswax and original leather belt in place. I remember sewing with it as a child, during a black out by firelight. I didn't have anyone else to tell who might appreciate how special this is...thanks 😊
On the subject of solid old things, my sewing machine is from the late 70s. It was given to me as a hand-me-down by a friend of my grandmother and along with the inevitable brown and cream colour scheme, it's mostly solid metal and completely indestructable. I wouldn't be surprised if it outlasts me! (Oh, and it has an equally solid-sounding name: the Riccar Reliant 505!)
I have one too. Lugging up the loft ladder to my "sewing room" was quite an experience in itself. All I kept thinking was - DONT DROP IT ON MY FOOT!!!!! Needless to say, it's on its table and doesn't get moved much😂. I also have 2 modern machines downstairs, both can do something the other cannot. The Riccar is used for heavier jobs, heavy curtains, covers for arm chairs, setters etc!
Not a sewing machine, but it has been specified that should anything happen to my mom, I get her Kenmore mixer. It is a bit on the newer side, but also built like a tank and using the same kind of motor those mixers have used for decades.
the bobbin case is called a "Shuttle." Also, majority of old treadle and handcrank machines do not have a reverse! If you try just treadling backwards, the thread will snap. How do you back stitch? you stop with the needle down, and you have to turn the fabric itself around. How do you zig zag? there's an attatchment for that! If you can find old low shank attachments on Ebay or out at a second hand store or a flea market, I highly recommend playing with them! Bernadette you would LOVE the tuck marker! You measure and mark the first tuck, and with the proper settings on the attachment it'll yes, mark where the next tuck will be for you! A quick study of your machine's foot tells me it's a low shank, with a typical side clamp. Majority of old Singer attachments from the age of straight stitch machines will fit it, as long as it's low shank. The back clamp attachments sadly will not, they were for Singer 66 back clamping machines for a short while until Singer went 'oh wait! we should put it on the typical side!'
@@SB_McCollum This is how my grandmother taught me to back stitch, too. And, the zig zig? She timed her hands to the machine, and moved the fabric side to side. Quite marvelous.
Note: On a hand-turned singer you can disengage the flywheel which will make it so the machine won't make the needle go up and down while you're winding the bobbin. 11:45 That was a big OOOOoooo moment for me though. I just figured I only had one stitch length, thanks
My year 3 (7-8 years old) school teacher had a hand turned Singer. She used to bring it in every now and then as a treat for us to use it to sew something. It was so much fun, and I remember being fascinated by how the wheels all turned each other. The Victorians really did bring some great stuff into existence
I don't sew. I probably never will - but this was a delight to watch. You have that rare gift of making me fascinated by things that I otherwise would have absolutely no interest in. Thank you.
I remember hearing about how my grandfather bought the electric attachment for Nana's treadle machine once they got electricity to the ranch house. Nana had 6 girls to sew dresses and sunbonnets for, often from grain bags. Quilts were made from these dresses after no one fit a dress. I am sure Nana was happy for some primitive electric sewing :)
You can "back-stitch" with these Machines . . . You just turn your work, and go back 4 stiches or so, and can pull the top thread to the underside and knot~
And on the treadle you can raise the foot slightly - so it just hovering above the fabric and pull the fabric forward for a few stitches then lower the foot and let it feed in the usual direction again. To do this on a hand-crank you need an assistant for a second or two to wind the handle for you while you control the presser foot and fabric - which needs two hands. Try as I might I've not been able to finagle another way around it. If I don't want threads at the very beginning edge of the seam, or don't want to start right at the edge, I start the seam at the "beginning" but in the wrong direction - as if I'm stitching the last few stitches of the seam - and sew a few stitches towards the edge. Then, when I get to the "end" (actually my intended beginning of the seam) I stop with the needle in the pivot position, pivot 180-degrees and continue sewing the seam as normal. This of course works whether you're on a hand-crank or treadle.
I've got a 101 year old handcranked singer machine myself and I absolut adore the sheer beauty of it. Sewing with this machine is a joy. The rhythm of the mechanism is almost hypnotic. I'm sewing mostly messenger bags or cyberpunk cloaks on my machine. The thought of sewing this futuristic projects on such an old machine let's me smile through the whole project. Another thing I want to point out is the smell. My machine was in very good condition as I got it. But of course the wood of the box on which the machine sits smelled a little bit unpleasant. I sewed a little bag, filled it with coffee beans and put it under the machine. It smells much better now. A mix of oil, metal, coffee and history. This machine is one of my favorite belongings ❤️
As someone who has worked with industrial sewing machines, Constance unconsciously looking for the knee lift is a whole mood. I still move my knee to try and bring the presser foot up even when I'm using my own home sewing machine.
That part with Constance was so relatable, when I tried to use my great-grandma's machine as a teenager I had the same hilarious reaction. This video was so beautiful and useful. Tomorrow I'm going to check how's (now) my machine. I hate modern machines, maybe she will be the one.
Omg hearing that professionals also have trouble winding a bobbin makes me feel so much better about never getting it right. Also, loved watching you and your friend giggle over the treadle machine - a scene right out of 1900's I'm sure!
i felt like watching contance struggling with the machine was what watching a victorian figuring out using a modern mobile phone would have looked like 🤣 so cute!
My great grandmother was born in 1898 and her mother gave her a treadle Singer sewing machine and it was passed down all the way to my mother who unfortunately did not keep it but they are beautiful machines!
Had to find this video again, because originally I was watching it because I love the channel and because it's fascinating. However, my grandmother has recently given me her own personal vintage Singer machine (A Model 99 from her mother) and while I know how to use and maintain it... I didn't know how to thread it. Personally I prefer hand-crank over treadle, easier for me and a familiarity as I used to watch my grandmother when I was little. She can't see too well anymore and her health has taken a toll, my elder siblings have been fighting over this machine for years and so she told me she'd settle it once and for all. Next thing I know she was talking about that machine while I was over for tea for her birthday and while I was listening to her reminisce about her memories with it she said "Happy early birthday"... She gave me her machine. On one hand, my elder siblings were FURIOUS about this, but I'm her only grandchild who hasn't asked for money or wanted anything other than to just hang out with her and listen to her talk about her childhood in England and Ireland (She told me the deciding factor was that I reminded her of her mother in how I looked at the machine and how I spoke with her at tea). She named the machine Diane (I wonder WHO she possibly got that name from; grandmother loved Princess Diana) and how she's a sassy machine sometimes but is as gentle as a lamb (Her exact description for "Diane"). EDIT: We finally figured out that my great grandmother bought the machine in 1924, but it originates from August 1st in 1922. A friend also contacted me about a machine they found in their attic with a case in "rough" condition. The case I had to trash as it was rusted and moldy, but the machine inside was a "Red Eye" Model 66 Singer, which is my grandmother's personal dream machine that she could never find nor afford growing up; she was in tears after I cleaned it up and brought it to her house to see it, and I understand as I had never seen a machine quite as beautiful. This "Red Eye" originates from July 18th in 1911. Despite the case's condition, the machine itself looked nearly new and only needed cleaning for the dust and a little love. It works fine, but until I find or make a case for it the machine will be sitting on my desk, carefully kept covered by a cloth I have. The only damages to it are to the decals and the spool pin is completely bent (I have a few spares), but everything else works (I oiled and lubricated it first of course).
I did not realize that I needed to oil the fly wheel on a treadle. I have a Singer treadle made in 1908 that was purchased for my Great-Great-Grandmother as a wedding present. Singer treadles are very well made. It had no care for 30 years add worked just fine after a few minutes of tinkering.
@@h.c.49 in my experience wd40 is too thin and evaporates too quickly for these old machines. They were designed and built with specific tolerances to operate smoothly. They work best and wear less with a proper sewing machine oil. Also be sure to oil moving parts under the machine and inside the cover plates on the back and on the left side. These are the crank drive and needlebar areas. Having rescued and restored 35 of these old singers I find they are very solidly built and usually cleaning and oiling can have them sewing like new
you don't need to take the needle guide off, just loosen the nut and slide the needle up into place then tighten the screw back down, and also you can disinguage the needle from moving while filling the bobbin by turning the silver knob on the flywheel towards you while holding the flywheel still. your threading the machine wrong also, your going to break your thread. those are not thread groves for the thread but thread groves to adjust foot tension. there is a thread guide on the front of the machine at the top. the thread goes through that then down to the tensioner..
Yes, I cringed watching the thread being guided around the presser foot tension knob! That little hook attached to the faceplate, directly above the tension unit, is where the thread should be going instead. Other models will have a wire hook around that location for the same purpose. There is also a stop motion knob - you hold the hand wheel, and loosen the little knob at the end towards you - so that you can wind the bobbin using the treadle & belt while the needle stays still (and keeps down wear and tear on the rest of the machine). Needle shouldn't be in action while bobbin winding. Tension unit is missing it's check spring too!
@@adrienneg.2401 omg I was cringing almost the whole time. Not being mean to Bernadette but one should know what they are doing before teaching others to do it also.
One more comment...the scene of you teaching Constance how to sew reminded me of a story my Mom and Grandmother both telling me. MamMaw was teaching Mom to sew...had her hands on fabric, close to needle. Mom leaned forward, apparently with treadle positioned just right, and sewed MamMaw's finger! They both screamed...Mom leaned back quickly...feet still on treadle...more screaming...you see where this went. 🤦♀️ Bless her heart, MamMaw's finger was severely stitched. Mom was so traumatized she didn't see again until she was an adult and got an electric machine. She made VERY sure to caution me about keeping fingers away from needle while teaching me to sew. ...and she'd make sure my foot was well away from the pedal before she'd get near to point out anything. 😉
This is so cool. And I especially appreciate that the machine has a mechanism to wind bobbin thread evenly throughout the spool. So many times on my electric machine the bobbin is uneven unless I guide it myself. Even then there's no guarantee lol.
Greetings from Alma Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦 Astonished to find we both have the same antique Singer Treadle sewing machine! My cabinet has a single drawer on both sides. Mine is made in Turkey and serial # 11277765. Exactly the same as your Treadle. Where your decals are worn, ironically mine are there, and visa versa. Wonderful instructions and your enthusiasm are encouraging successful fun sewing days for now and forever. Keep studying and keep learning and thank you for sharing and teaching with all of us 'Treadle Enthusiasts'. Blessings, GiGi In Vintage
Fabulous, informative video! I rescued an old Singer from the trash over 50 years ago. I was never sure how to sew with it, but loved the Egyptian motif and oak table so much that I could never part with it. You’ve made it look pretty easy to use. Thanks so much!! ;)
I've posted these tips for treadling on another channel where someone was learning to treadle but I know many of you watching this (and there are many of us!) may have a treadle you haven't mastered yet, or really want to get one some day. It really does take practice, but know what to practice can speed things up. So this is a long comment, but I hope it helps some of you. :-) Practice to start with so that the handwheel clutch is disengaged (like you'd do for bobbin winding), the presser foot is up and there's no thread or needle in the machine. Have your right foot forward on the treadle pedal (and only push forward with it, that is - away from you) and your left foot towards the back of the treadle pedal (and only push back on the pedal with that foot). You can swap feet whenever you like but the foot to the front pushes forward only and the foot to the back pushes back only. It's a bit like pedalling on a bike in that only one foot pushes down at a time while the other has a little rest. When you stop your feet should stay put - at least one of them so the inertia in the machine doesn't keep moving the machine and pedal. Often as not it will "roll" backwards just to spite you. :-) Learn to treadle s-l-o-w-l-y so you can figure out where the "dead spots" are on the treadle pedal. You might be lucky and have two but if you're like me you have three (pedal all the way forward, dead level and all the way back). You don't want to stop at those spots because if you do then you need to use your hand on the handwheel to get it going again and it's just harder to get it going again. When you do need to use your hand on the handwheel to start grab it firmly and pull towards you with a bit of vigour. "Stroking" the handwheel is a bit too gentle to efficiently overcome the inertia in the machine. Your handwheel should only ever come towards you (even for reverse if a machine has it, some brands do even in quite old machines - machines don't "wind backwards" to stitch in reverse). If when you stop your right foot was pushing forward then when you start again if you carry on with the right foot pushing forward the machine wheel will turn the same way it was going when you stopped. It's the same principle if you were pushing backwards with your left foot. Play around with it and observe what happens to the direction the handwheel turns when you stop and then re-start treadling. You'll soon see what I mean if I haven't explained it well. With practice (and going slow to start with) you'll get the hang of starting up after stopping with the handwheel always coming forward. The moment you see it going the wrong way when you start up again you know you've recommenced treadling with the "wrong foot". Swap to pushing with the other foot immediately and it will go in the right direction again. After you've got the hang of this engage the clutch again so you can get used to it with the "heavier foot" required to move the whole mechanism of the machine. When you can stop and start pretty much at will (and use your hand on the wheel to do a "decisive stop" when you need to) and always (nearly always!) start in the right direction you're ready to put a needle in the machine and practice sewing on paper. Once you're able to stop and start where and when you want (hint - slow the treadle down as you make the approach to anywhere you want to stop) and guide the paper around corners and curves adjusting the speed as needed with your feet to suit the path you're navigating then you thread her up with a new needle, grab your fabric and sew like a pro! For any precise sewing it is not cheating to just manually turn the handwheel. Nor is it cheating, if you have a hand-crank on the machine as well, to use that when and where it suits you. Treadling is great for fast sewing and long seams but that doesn't mean you're obliged to use it exclusively before you can call yourself a treadler. :-) Finally - thread nests under the throat plate are often caused by incorrect threading (eg the thread is not fully between the tension discs, not properly going through all the guides or checkspring) or the handwheel going backwards. If ever you get those loops or nests in random places on a seam rather than all the way along when you haven't even changed the tension on the machine check those two things first.
IF you're a lefty it might be better to reverse placement of your feet on the treadle (right foot towards the back etc. This is what I do on my treadles and it works much better for me....
@@marymalheim Absolutely - and you can even swap them around as you go if you find your ankles or calves get tired or uncomfortable after being in one position for a while. As long as the principles of front foot push forwards and rear foot push backwards it'll work just the same. :-)
Thank you for reminding me to clean up and oil my late mother's hand turned Singer. She bought it in an antique shop in the late 60's and sewed many of our clothes on it including my communion dress. She even got it serviced before she died so that it would still work for me but I've stuck to my electric one mainly because I didn't know the finer points of using an older machine. And now I find out how old - according to the serial number it's from 1884! It'll be fantastic to get it going again thanks to your video :)
Just two weeks I told my father that I want to try my grandmother's sewing machine from the mid 20th century, but I didn't know how to make it ready. Now I do! Thank you so much!
I have a treadle at home, that I repaired around two years ago. I love it so much and this video really shows what a joy it is to work with such trusty machinery
That scene with you and Constance at the machine while she learned how to treadle was heartwarming and wholesome. This is my new favorite video on RUclips.
I recently acquired a 1896 Standard treadle sewing machine at a thrift store (which turned out to have belonged to my best friend's great grandmother!), and I'm hoping to get it back into sewing condition to use on my own historical sewing journey. Thank you for all this wonderful information!
The part with you teaching Constance is adorable and you can imagine that's how it would be back in the machines time if a lady got a treadle when they were new tech and having the same fun you two had with it 🥺
About 45 years ago, I bought an 1888 Singer machine at a yard sale. Cleaned, lubed, and replaced the belt, and used it until 10 years ago, when my aunt sold me her mother's 1950's electric. Both are still in my sewing room, along with a Singer serger. We have Amish families in our area, so belts and bobbins are available at the Singer dealer. If you have old bobbins, make sure they have no corrosion. That's a lovely stained glass tulip lamp you have. My machine is against a wall, so I hung a gooseneck lamp off the wall and directed at the machine. You are a lovely gal with a very nice voice.
You have inspired me to learn how to sew. My auntie recently gave me my grandmother's vintage featherweight Singer from August 1960 (the receipt was still in the carrying case), so now I have a machine to actually begin my sewing adventures. I'm nervous, but excited.
Wonderful as ever, thanks for this video. But some points: Not all old swing shuttle sewing machines require flat piston needles - You should smooth the hole in the needle plate - When winding, loosen the screw on the handwheel - Don't pass the thread around the top post, only through the upper guide - Important: Before threading the thread between the tension discs, lift your foot. Just as you have done - I've had good experience with putting one foot on the front of the footplate, one on the back - I've had good experience with putting one foot on the front of the footplate, one on the back - You can secure the seam by turning the fabric.
A few other tips for treadling: I treadle barefoot (this has been recommended in several vintage sewing machine groups. It gives you a better feel for what is going on with the pedal), and I use both feet instead of one. My foot on the dominant side is in the back (farthest away), and the non dominant is in the front (closest to the floor). The non-dominant heel is on the floor, so just my toes are on the pedal. I start the flywheel with my hands to get the pedal going, then push back and forth alternating feet. Give this method a try - it is SO much easier to treadle this way than relying on one foot. I love antique Singer sewing machines!!! They sew sooooooo well and are always reliable!! It's so fun to see others' fondness for these old lovely ladies! 💖
I had access to a treadle machine years ago, and learned that using both feet was much easier than one. Once you get going it is sort of like dancing, using my feet in concert to maintain the "swing" of the treadle. (Someone mentioned it was like swinging, and that is a great analogy.)
A Singer treadle is the first machine I learned to sew on. It was my Granny's and my Mama still uses it today. You did a wonderful job of explaining the process, it is a "feeling". Excellent video, thank you.
Makes me think of my grandmother and great aunt. My great aunt sewed for the public and had an old treadle machine that had been converted to electric. My grandmother had a treadle machine and the summer I was about 11 or 12 I spent several weeks with her as I usually did each summer and she showed me how to use her treadle machine. Both of these ladies were fantastic seamstresses. I remember my grandmother teaching me to thread a needle and knot the thread when I was about 6 years old. I began sewing doll clothes by hand and by around 8 or 9 was sewing on my mother’s electric sewing machine. By the time I was in high school I made most of my own clothes and my mother’s too. I could have so many more clothes by making them myself and I could have fashions not available in my rural east Texas area. This was the late 1960’s and the mod fashions weren’t available in our rural area. I wanted to be a clothing designer and worked many years in the garment industry. I don’t sew clothes very much anymore due to price of fabric and lack of availability of fabric I like but still enjoy it.
I’m 66 and in my teens and twenties used a treadle machine to make clothes ! I so remember that sound fondly, sadly it was lost along the way of life and oh so many house moves including abroad. Lovely video thank you Bernadette 😍😎🇫🇷
I feel like there's a parallel universe where Bernadette is an evil baroness who forces prisoners to try and operate the treadle machine without instruction and forces them to sew a ridiculously long garment before they can be released.
I recently restored a Singer 15, originally bought in 1936 by my great grandmother. I cleaned, lubed, adjusted everything and upgraded it from pedal to a motor + added a light (using the original mounts). My grandma loved it because now she can sew easily, and put the machine anywhere she wants to instead of being dependant on the original foot and table. Those machines will outlast you if you keep up with minimal maintenance, and they will sew on anything from the lightest fabric to thick leather. I was considering getting a new straight industrial machine, but tbh the only improvement it has over the old Singer is more speed (and maybe zigzag). The smoothness while using it, plus knowing it's a family heirloom makes it a very special experience, can't wait to inherit it although I also love having the excuse of needing to sew to go visit my grandparents ❤
I’m in my 40s but I learned on a treadle machine at around 9 yo. It’s easy even for a child and so much fun. I always think of “treadling” as sitting on a swing. Gathering speed is all about subtle movements at the right time. That said, my vintage machines are electric and after having very pricey modern machines for most of my adult life I can say my current baby, a 1947 Singer 201k, is the best machine I’ve ever sewn on
I remember sitting on the floor while my Grandmother Ross used her machine. She would allow me to operate the treadle for her. Watching this, I no longer imagine that I was helping much! I remember the light streaming through the window onto the wood plank floor with the shadows of the panes slowly stretching out through the afternoon.
I love this video! I have several machines, including a treadle and a hand-cranked machine. On my old machines I have left the needle in, lifted the presser foot, rotated the work 180 degrees and resumed sewing for a few stitches to 'backstitch' when needed. My treadle cabinet needs some repair, and the belt is too loose. I can't wait to get it back up and running soon.
Yes!! This is my biggest complaint with machines newer than the 60s or 70s - you can’t stop them with the needle in the down position. It is so frustrating to try to make sharp, crisp corners and collar points, etc when you can’t stop with the needle down, lift the foot and pivot the fabric before putting the foot back down and carrying on! I had to jettison the brrrr machine and go back to my old standby!
@@Lucinda_Jackson Depends on the machine. My mother's new Elna (bought early 2000's) had a button you could push that put the needle down so you could turn corners like that. Plus, you could advance the flywheel for fine-tuning if needed.
I have one of those at my parents house that I plan to have back one I move into a bigger flat. I can't wait to use it since it's working and we normally have all of the pieces needed. It's a really interresting model too, since the machine is actually hidden inside of the wodden desk part. The top of the desk has hinges on the side and you can open it into a larger warking area, and then you fold out the machine and there you go! We employed the machine as a computer desk, and I used to temper my adhd by operating the treadle while working. I really hope to stumble into a broken machine one day to just reclaim the treadle part to use it on my everyday desk (without having to destroy a working machine).
Keep an eye out in local thrift shops, or talk to local machine shops. Ask them to give you a call when a broken one comes in. Should be able to pick it up for $100 or less. :)
Treadle Lady on Etsy has a small instruction booklet on treadles, and carries belts, needles and bobbins. Also, don't overlook Whites, which were equally popular and had some beautiful bases.
Fun to hear Constance giggling during her process. 😃Good job. If you want to back stitch, you actually pivot the fabric around with the needle in the project and go forward. I learned that from My Mother's Tan Metal Monster (Singer) electric machine from the 1950's. That didn't have a backstitch invented yet. Not easy to pivot fabric if you have a large project.
My great-grandmother's 1896 treadle has been sitting in the basement of my grandparent's house for thirty years, when I saw that video where you acquired a similar one I was hoping you would post a tutorial! And you did, so now I know how to actually use it! Thank you!!
You can find the manuals for most models online, and that should help you get up and running. Do not try to follow this video, the machines were threaded incorrectly and had part of the tension assembly missing. They're pretty tough little things and parts are easy to find, so good luck with getting it back in work again! There are also some great videos on YT on how to fit the new treadle belt.
I learned only yesterday that my mom learned to sew on my great grandmother’s treadle Machine and that it is still at their old farm house were my uncle lives now that both of my great grandparents have passed. I really hope that I can see it one day.
*UNSCREW THE KNOB* in the middle of your flywheel handle on the right - it will stop the mechanism from working whilst you wind the spool... At 5:03 you can see there is a hook sticking out of the cover plate [far left] - THIS is where the thread goes around and NOT the foot tensioner - for both bobbin winding and sewing
Yup. I have the same thing on my machine from the 60's. My little snot of a 6 yr old has figured out how to disengage that, so now anytime I sit down to sew, I have to double check that before going. 😑 Old girl needs that fly-wheel break out as well, otherwise she takes off without ya! 😆
You wanna hear something funny, I was ready to take my 1953 99k hand crank to the repair shop, since it wasn't making stitches when turned. I got as far as looking up how to fix the timing, when I realized I'd disengaged the needle movement by accident.
My grandma had one of these and it sat happily in its cover for years before I moved to a way smaller house. I didn't want to just toss the machine and they weren't exactly selling online. Our old Moroccan neighbor said she wanted it. She took to it like a fish to water. Turns out that in her childhood she had learned to sew on one of these and had never gotten the hang of electric ones. She was supremely happy to have a sewing machine again, so it was happily gifted.
I learned something from the manuals I scoured for more information about my Singer: You can disengage the needle when making the bobbin. This may not be a universal feature on all of the Singers, but on the Singer 127, you turn the inner knob on the hand wheel counter-clockwise and the needle and feed dogs won't wear down, especially when they aren't needed.
My grandma has an antique treadle machine and when I would go to her house as a kid I would always play with the treadle. All of the tips you gave about using a treadle machine remind me of all of the troubles I had playing with it trying to get a good rhythm. After watching this video I really hope I can restore it one day and actually sew something with it!
Wow, such a beautiful video! It makes me want to give my 1896 machine a fresh dusting and oiling. I bought mine about 5 or 6 years ago in rough shape, but after a thorough cleaning and a replaced belt, it works good as new and I've made so, so many garments with it. I had almost forgotten how hard it is to use when you're not used to the rhythm. To me, the lovely clacking it makes is just like music. Not to mention the aesthetics of these machines! Where did the style go??
I taught myself to sew on a treadle in 1964 at 14 years old. My neighbour let me use her treadle in exchange for helping her son with his homework. I never had an electric machine until 30 years later. I sewed myself, my children, my home, and my vintage and handmade market stall for decades on my treadle. My friend, who’s mother, grandmother, and aunties were haute couture seamstresses, taught me an invaluable treadle hack to compensate for no backstitch. Stitch 2-3 stitches, stop with the needle down in the work, turn the work, sew back to the beginning stitch, turn and sew on. If you want a less secure start, start from 3 stitches away from the beginning of the seam with the work facing the opposite direction, stitch 3 stitches, needle down in the work, turn the work and stitch on To secure at the end of the seam just reverse the process I treadled for years with a baby/toddler on my lap. Facing in to me of course. They were soothed to sleep by the rocking motion of my legs. I had very strong legs due to that I also learned to treadle two footed. One for speed and one for brake.
Back in the 1960s, one of my mom's older friends (who was in her 80s at the time) would babysit me now and then. I distinctly recall her Victorian Singer Sewing machine which was set up in her bedroom. It did have a treadle. I found it fascinating at the time, so it was certainly fun and educational to watch this video! I never thought of the fact that one can 'feel' sewing, but I can understand why since the machine cannot sew without human feet on the treadle. Thank you Bernadette!
This is like a guide to my childhood, I already hear the light 'clacking' of the machine in my ears. I grew up with the sewing machine of my grandmother from the 1930s (it was a gift from her parents for her 18th birthday, she later on became a dressmaker) I always used play around with it when I was little😊🗝
I've been obsessed with these since childhood - my aunt has a shoemaker's treadle machine (and some of the wooden shoe molds still!) and we used to play in it as children and be completely amazed by how it worked. That part hasn't gone away. But I've never felt keen to constantly use one. My grandma had really bad knee problems, seemingly from using a treadle machine all her life. She was always very thankful for the motor you could attach to the sewing machine, to make it electric instead. But they truly *are* wondrous!
Most Grandparents have bad knees no matter how they actually lived their life. Knees can take a LOT of abuse... until they can't. Best advice is simply to take any chronic pain seriously and get it properly looked at by professionals. And if you are young enough not to have chronic pain - take stretching seriously!
My g-grandpa hooked up a 12 volt motor to my g-grandmas machine and would pull the battery out of his truck while he was working. He logged with mules and they didn't have power in their house till the early 70s. All before my time but I've heard stories she would run the batt so low he would have to get her to help him push start his truck in the evenings to charge the battery. That machine is my nightstand now.
OMG, it reminded me of my mom making clothes for me and my sister. She had a treadle operated machine at her disposal, which was owned by her landlord. This was nearly sixty years ago!
What an interesting rental perk! "Amenities include a fishing pond out back, off-street parking, access to a sewing machine in the basement" 😄 Sign me up! Seriously though, I wonder how common it might have been for there to be a sewing machine for people in the building to use (I'm picturing the 3-Family units common to my area of New England vs a 30 unit building)?
@@brendaleelydon As I said, this was 60 years ago and it was a house that was built after WW2. It was not common to have such amenities, the landlord was very kind indeed. Four families lived in that house.
I’m a hand-spinner and this episode really spoke to me. I use a drop Turkish spindle, which seems (and probably is in many ways) much simpler than spinning on a wheel but there’s a definite learning curve. It’s very organic- you’re in a relationship and you must respect the spindle as a partner. You need good listening skills. It’s also kind of like dancing with a partner. You’d like to learn to dance *together* as opposed to one person dragging the other forcefully across the floor. Anyway, there were tears and swearing at the beginning of my journey. I came to appreciate that every spindle is different. Sometimes you have to try a few out before you find the right one. When you do, it’s joyful.
When I was a kid, we had an Antique sewing machine table. There was no sewing machine on it, but the treadle was there. I would spend hours treadling away while coloring, doing homework, or just daydreaming at the table. Years later, I bought a table from a restaurant that had a treadle underneath. I still love the motion. It is so soothing.
Actually that back thing “for the thread” is for the pressure foot tension and that little hook at the front is for the action you used the pressure foot tension screw for I forgot to put that you are also supposed to disengage the stitch mechanism as to not damage the machine
This came at a perfect time for me! I recently found a 1891 hand turning Singer in a vintage shop in South London, absolutely in love with it but haven't road tested it yet so this will 100% kick me into action. Also, what you said about them being sturdy and built to last is so true, I was in Namibia on a research trip and there were women in the middle of the desert with Victorian singer machines, creating beautiful garments and bags/ purses with them. It's the perfect solution as there was obviously no electricity in the vicinity and they all knew how to use and fix them far better than I know my modern sewing machine.
I learned to sew on our mother's treadle machine, and still have one that I love. Use both feet, left on the back part of foot plate and right on front nearest you. You can really sew faster, it will be more even and will not wear out your ankle.
Yes, this is how my grandma taught me in hers! I tried to explain it in another comment but my English failed me. This video is bringing back so many memories
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
👁👄👁 I have never felt more prepared for a machine I don't own
Same✋
The treadle or the time machine?
@@BADASSMANDO
Both, obviously!
Yet
They are both some of the most pleasant sewing machines to own. I've owned both and currently only own a hand crank and it's a marvellously meditative experience. I am far less frustrated with my sewing than I am with my electric.
When my mother was very young, she trained as an apprentice to a very elderly gentleman tailor. By the time she was 20, she had become a professional tailor who specialized in man's suits. Her work was exquisite. She used no patterns and was capable of merely turning a garment inside out to see it's structure, drawing a few marks on gorgeous fabric and reproducing what she had memorized from seeing it that one time.. It's only as I've gotten older that I realize what an amazing talent she had. Since she trained on a Victorian pedal machine, that's what she sewed on for the rest of her life. She always said she couldn't "feel" the life of the garment under an electric machine. I grew up to the sound of the push-pedal merrily sewing along all through my childhood as she made my school uniforms, dresses and play clothes. After she passed away, I kept her machine for several years until I was no longer able to keep it with me. It broke my heart to see it go. Many years later I found the exact model of the machine she had in a 'junk' store, sitting unloved in a corner covered dust and cobwebs. I bought it for $15. The shopkeeper was glad to get rid of it. It has served as a beautiful table and conversation piece in my Victorian home for many years now. My goal for this winter is to get it working again, which includes finding a bobbin and a new belt and once again take up sewing. Your video provided the perfect inspiration and guidance for me. I do so love your videos and the gentility and talent you bring to these incredibly trying modern times. 💗
Than you for sharing this story ur mother seemed lovely
You can get a belt made at most saddle or cobbler shops. It's pretty easy to make, just need the correct measurement. Heck one of my machines has a Paracord belt because I been too lazy to cut a leather one and I don't use it often.
She sounds like an amazing woman. If anyone is looking for a belt and lives near Lancaster, PA, most of our locally owned sewing shops keep them in stock because the Amish still use treadle machines to sew.
Thank you for sharing your story, Em Cee.; how wonderful to have such memories. I have five sewing machines, one a 1922 Singer treadle, which I need to dust off and use again, thanks to BB's lovely and inspiring video.
You can get the belts pretty easily. Its the bobbins you have to search for in antique stores or “junk” stores. Good luck.
I wish you could have seen my 92 year old mother’s face when I showed her this. She had a treadle singer and was a real expert at using it. She was talking to you throughout!!
Thank you so much for transporting her back to her youth albeit for a short time!!
Gill (Suffolk UK)
How wonderful and heartwarming! Comments like these make my day. All the best to all of you in the sewing community. All the best to your Mom as well.
❤
aw how darling!!!
And what was she saying? I can't be the only who is curious, surely...
I bet she had some great advice for all of us who are relative newbies at all this. Perhaps an "oral history" chat recorded with her about what she remembers of her early days learning to sew and what the machines were like to use would be a good idea (if she'd enjoy it, that is). I know I'd love to hear it - what she remembers about her parents' or grandparents' experience of the machines and how they affected their lives etc is just a "memory treasure trove"! Oh - how I love listening to people in their 90s and older talk about their memories of how things were done when they were young!! :-)
@@meganmills6545 brilliant idea!
My grandma taught me to use both feet to treadle. The dominant foot is the driver and the nondominant one is the break. This gives you speed control. It also helps your legs work together for a longer sewing period without fatigue or calf cramps.
I was just about to post almost the exact same comment. The whole time I was thinking, "why aren't you using both feet?!" I believe it's also easier to get it started with both feet than with a single one.
Also was going on to comment this. Her friend would have got on so much easier in stockings feet as you can't really " feel" the connection to machine with shoes on.
I agree, it is always adviseable to maintain a "symmetry" / balance of your body when working on a machine, this not only helps avoid leg cramps but it is important for the spine.
I was taught to do the two foot thing on an industrial machine but I'm very right footed so I couldn't get the hang of it. I just use the one foot and then...get tired.
Yes, my grandma taught me with both feet too, one back and the other forward and taking turns to press down.
The best thing about these videos about old sewing machines is just hearing everybody’s stories in the comments about their antique sewing machines and how they got them.
When I was in rural remote Malawi in 2005, I tore my jeans, so they took me to see the tailor a few villages away. The dude was OLD, and he was rich by rural Africa standards because he was very important. And he was working with a machine just like this one. While he fixed my clothes I got his whole story, about how he'd gone south to work in the JoBurg gold mines in the 50's, then used a chunk of his earnings to buy and repair an old sewing machine, when the factories were selling off their old non-electrical ones. He was able to take it by train as far as northern Mozambique, but then he had to carry the thing *ON HIS BACK* through the jungle. Every night, he'd leave his precious machine at the base of a tree and then climb the tree to sleep safe from lions. He did this *FOR TWO WEEKS* before he reached his home in Malawi. Oh, and he still called Malawi "Nyasaland".
After he finished fixing my jeans, I realized I had forgotten to discuss the price first, a serious error for a tourist. But this was no tourist trap I was in, so he wasn't out to bilk me too much. When I asked how much, his eyebrows when up high and he asked in Chichewa, "How about six cents?" I confirmed with my friend that I had heard the price correctly, and I asked if I could give him twenty-four cents without embarrassing him. He was so delighted with this exorbitant tip that he had me wait a moment while he dug up a couple of cassavas for me from his garden, and he even threw in a plastic grocery bag.
This is a very sweet story 😊 Kindness in return for a kindness 💜
I enjoyed this story so much.
And he became part of your story as you became part of his. Beautiful.
Wow this was an incredible story, thank you for sharing it :]
This is the best story ever. Thanks for sharing!
This is delightful! You and Constance have probably recreated a scene straight out of 1901 :)
what a delightful thought
This made me so happy for some reason. I love that perspective.
Wholesome and sweet scene! This channel is like peering into a crystal ball and seeing what once was 💕
staawwpp! I almost cried reading this comment!
@@robertmacnaughton4190 There is a market for old needles..just saying...identification is difficult to say the least though.
*stares at my 1898 sewing machine, that is exactly a hundred years older them me with utter horror - there's dust bunnies.* I think I need to clean it now. Thanks Bernadette.
I inherited my Grandma's singer treadle when she passed away. I was in High School, and used it on all of my sewing projects. I am still proud of how I figured out how to insert an invisible zipper and finish buttonholes on the machine!
I'm proud of you too♥️
Oh my gosh! How do you do the buttonhole on your grandma's machine? I've got my grandma's Singer treadle and have been doing buttonholes by hand. If there's a machine way I'd love to know!
I have my great-grandmother's as well. These things were built to last, and they are beautiful.
@@dorothymilne7055 Hi there. I have a 1917 White treadle. It had been owned by a tailor and came with two attachments that were for zig-zag stitching and buttonholing. I think you can probably find them online somewhere. They work by moving the fabric where the new machines move the needle. They are ingenious. I use the zigzagger constantly to "serge" seam fabric.
@@susanohnhaus611 Thank you! Mine is a 1924. I will go on the hunt! you inspire me :-)
My take away from this is that using a Victorian sewing machine is like driving stick shift; no matter how much you try to learn off the internet, you just have to experience it to truly understand
I feel its very much like a rocking chair or a swing, like you use your foot on the floor to start, but you kinda just rock/swing without needing to touch the floor, its all momentum. The treadle is the same, your foot is rocking with it back and forth, with a super tiny amount of pressure to just get the next movement to rock all the way down and your foot just keeps going following it back up.
The funny thing is we have alot of these treadle machines in Nigeria than any other. The ratio is like 1 million: 1
This is exactly what I thought too. I have a stick shift ‘78 vw bug, and started a couple weeks ago with treadle machines. I thought wow, this is the same kind of learning curve?
I won't never forget that time my cousin was looking for a sewing machine and when I suggested a singer she told me she wanted some more tested brand. *More tested than singer*
Buahahahahaha! I don't sew at all and even I know that's silly! 😂
....how the hell do you find a brand that's more tested than Singer? Like, you talk to a random person on the street and ask them about sewing machine brands, what are they gonna say? Necchi? Pfaff? Wardwell? No, they'll say Singer. (Don't get me wrong, those are good brands. Singer has just dominated the arena for so long that it's the first name people think of when they hear 'sewing machine'.) They've been making machines since *1865.* You can't get more 'tested' than that.
Aww bless.
Being a popular brand one may be able to find spare parts. Almost like people finding car parts to restore a old clunker.
Well... The new Singer sewing machines are actually in no way comparable to the old Singer machines. The brand has been bought up by a different company, I think something Chinese, and the quality just isn't the same. If someone asked me for a recommendation of a new sewing machine, I wouldn't suggest a Singer.
As a antique sewing machine collector, the aesthetic cinematography-ness of this video gives me joy beyond no bounds. Also that shot of you threading the needle is the single most satisfying thing ever. But a few notes,
-That top bar is actually not a thread guy, its a screw that adjusts the pressure on the presser foot adjusting it is usualy unnecassery unless your sewing something drasticly thin or thick.
-the little open circle/hook/shape thing on the faceplate is the proper thread guide for sewing and bobbin winding, also i saw another comment on you missing your tension check spring!
-also the big silver knob in the middle of your hand wheel can be disengaged to wind the bobbin without the needle moving!
I was wondering if her machine didn't have the option of disengaging the needle when winding the bobbin because it was so old. I have a couple of machines from the early 1900s that disengage but I've never worked on one from the late 1800s.
Yes, I have an 1898 Singer and sometimes when disengaging the clutch after she’s sat for awhile I have to hold the top of the bar the needle is attached to when I first get it going so it doesn’t continue to move, but keeping everything well oiled and using it regularly has made this less of an occurrence.
Seeing videos and comment sections full of owners/collectors of these amazing machines sharing tips and knowledge in a polite way warms my heart.
I have an 1896 singer and I’ve never had a problem with being able to disengage that mechanism
@@mollysmith1711 When I got mine it was in very poor shape and missing a few pieces, she was just a side project, but slowly took over as a main focus. I sew on her daily now after quite a bit of work and research and still continue to make small repairs and replace worn bits here and there hoping to have a well working machine to pass along some day.
Oh, another commonly overlooked part/adjustment on treadles is the screws and brace pieces located at the ends of the pitman arm, my machine was clunking rather loud even after a good oiling so I inspected and noticed the bottom screw was very loose, after an adjustment she runs nice and quiet.
I have a case of machine still wants to occasionally move with clutch disengaged so still rasing the presser foot is still good info for me, just in case.
Did I squeal and clap when Constance got the rhythm and feeling? Yes. Did the cat on my lap sink their claws into me in protest of being awoken? Also yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely!
As a side note, the interplay of the light and patterns of the spokes on the larger wheel with the spaces on the legs of the machine is legit mesmerising to watch.
A few inconsistencies...
1. Loosen the clutch-wheel (that big silver one inside the balance wheel) to disengage the needle-mech. while bobbin-filling. Then tighten back up afterwards, to re-engage.
2. The top thread-guide is that little hook at the top of the faceplate, not the grooved rod (which is actually the presser-foot tension rod).
3. The bullet-thingies are shuttles, the spools that go into them are bobbins.
Other than that, excellent video. Treadling is certainly something very different from anything else that people who use modern sewing machines would be use to, but it's a lot of fun. It can be exhausting if you're doing a lot of sewing, though.
I have this same hand cranked sewing machine (model VS3, also known as 28 and later models 128, 128k, etc) and I love it!
I would like to add that both machines (and all machines, modern and old, afaik) have that clutch-wheel that should be disengaged before winding the bobin -like we do in modern machines- so the needle and the feed dogs do not move while the balance wheel spins.
I would like to mention as well that the VS3 is also treadle-ready too, apart from hand cranked: it has a guide on the left side of the balance wheel for the belt and holes on the wooden base that match the ones on a table for the belt to go through!
It's a truly beautiful and exciting piece of engineering
Also, the little hole on the side of the bobbin is where one pulls the thread through, so that it sets itself when started, and one doesn't have to worry about what "direction" they've wound it.
That sound....❤
I got *really* into antique Singers during the pandemic. They are actually a *lot* more accessible and available to buy than I just assumed for a long time and I accidentally went from 0 machines to 11 very quickly. I've since rehomed a couple and need to let a couple others go but I will warn people that sometimes when you go down the antique sewing machine road, it becomes a very deep rabbit hole 😆
Glad I saw this in time, as a warning. I was just checking out the dutch craigslist (so to speak) and was surprised by how cheap they can be. Already had shortlisted a couple not too far away! Gonna put this on hold real quick.. 🤣
I can bet that it would.
Warning for absolute beginners like myself: when Bernadette says oil she means special sewing machine oil. Any other kind of oil will ruin the machine. In WOII when there was a shortage of everything this happened. People used different oil and machines just stopped working, can still be cleaned I believe but is a lot of work.
Also love the video!! 🥰
I think the oil you can get for electric beard trimmers should work just fine, doesn't it? it serves the same purpose
doesn't she mean something like WD 40?
@@kibummmm looking at another comment, that for me just happens to be just below this one, wd40 doesn't work
@@kibummmm No.While WD 40 is a lubricant, it has additives that will harden later and jam up the machine. Use only sewing machine oil on machines this old. It's very cheap, so there's really no excuse or reason to use anything else. Also sewing machine oil can be wiped all over the machine to clean it. In particular, it won't harm the pretty decals.
Singer has been selling sewing machine oil for a hundred years and it’s still being sold just by singer sewing machine oil and you will be fine.
"Any place that moves against another thing should be kept nice and fluid." Truer words were never spoken.
Today in "things that can be said in a 19th century sewing room and in the bedroom"
I thought I'd stumbled on Miss Bernadette's Lonely Heart's Club Channel for a minute. Totally subbed if so; seriously, I'd subscribe all over that.
Watching you and Constance giggling and having fun together was such a delight. My sister owns our Grandma’s old treadle machine, it will be interesting to see her use it after watching this!
Wholesome and sweet 💓
I just saw 2 singer machines at my local antiques store and after watching this I’ve made up my mind, I’m going back tomorrow to get one. These machines are so beautiful
Update: I got a 15K-88 made in 1936. It’s in incredible condition and works beautifully. So happy I got her
have a 15k88 too and it runs better than my more modern (1970's) sewing machine. (and sounds much nicer)
I got one of those today! ❤
I got a 15-88 and absolutely love having a treadle that reverses!
I bought a 1912 singer yesterday and it works wonderfully!! Im 16 and my mom doesn’t know how to sew, so its amazing that someone can explain the process to me like this! Thank you!
When I was your age I used to sew a lot of my own clothes. It's so much fun and will let you develop your own unique style!
It looks like it works like swinging on a swingset. You need to add a small push with each cycle of movement, at just the right time. If you try to push at the wrong time, you cancel out the cyclical pattern instead of adding to it.
Great analogy Jennifer
Similiar idea of conserving momentum as with manual bellows in a 17th and 18th century forge.
They were usually suspended so that the weight of the bellows pushed the air out into the forge from the upper half over the time span of half a minute or so, and sucked new air into the bottom half at the same time.
As the bellows were lifted, the air in the bottom half was forced into the upper half through a one way vent in the static central divider, the vent made by a wood board over a hole with a leather hinge and leather seals around the edges.
This allowed for a constant air preassure and flow into the forge which in turn results in an evenly heated furnace and a better quality of work due to predictability compared to older types of bellows.
I belive the bellows of old church organs have a similiar construction for the same reason.
This! I thought of swings when she was describing it too! It's just like swinging on a swing - you have to get into the *swing* of it! 😁 You phrased it much better than I could've; well done!
Thank you! I've been trying to use mine and the idea of the swing has helped!
Exactly!
You’ve definitely inspired me to try my great-grandmother’s c. 1930s Singer sewing machine again! I rescued it from being sent to auction (the actual tragedy of losing a family heirloom like that!) because I knew I would want to expand my knowledge beyond hand-sewing one day. It’s a hand-turned rather than treadle machine, but hoping I can follow along now that the process is demystified somewhat! Thank you!
I am so sad that my great grandmother's Singer is lost to time. I remember seeing it in my grandmother's house.
Do make sure you get it serviced before you use it it'll work for another 100 years with a good regular service
I recently found the date of my great-grandmother's hand turn Singer, 1920! How incredible to have something that is 101 years old and very nearly still in entirely working order. It doesn't have the same bobbin as Bernadette's, but is otherwise very similar. I found a great tutorial about cleaning and restoring a similar model so I gave it a good clean but there's something wrong with the tension so I think professional help is needed to get it fully operational unfortunately.
You definitely should! Mine is a 1937 and she is wonderful!
Oh cool! I actually have a pretty treadle Naumann from late 1800s I was thinking of reviving recently - I got it like for 30 dollars from an old couple who used to sew everything on it when they were young. As the gentleman said "the only thing I know that can do silk and chiffon and heavy denim too". It's been standing in my room for about 7 years now so I suppose it'll take some TLC before the first use but it'll be so worth it!
Aren't we all just here to watch Bernadette time travelling to learn new skills? You can't tell me she's not in fact an Edwardian time traveller.
Did you notice how much she had to say about the minutiae of The Nevers? Had me wondering…
😆
BB is a Victorian first then she slides into Edwardian.
@@rondabeal5204 With just a hint of goth and steam punk! What a WONDERFUL blend!
I learned to use my mother’s 1960’s Kenmore electric when I was about 10 years old in the late 1970’s, but I learned to SEW when my sister showed me how to use our grandmother’s Singer treadle machine. The Singer went to my sister after my grandmother passed away, when I was only 4 years old. At that age, I hadn’t had the chance to have Grandma’s instruction on the machine, but I did remember that she kept it in pristine condition, the mechanisms carefully oiled and maintained, the cabinet polished, and the drawers stocked with all the appropriate accoutrements, thoughtfully arranged by hands that had raised 4 sons during the Great Depression. Although both of my father’s parents passed away when I was very young, I remember many visits ‘Downriver’, as that part of the state is called. Mostly, I remember the juxtaposition of their living room, which was very sleek and mid-century modern, against the corner that held her sewing machine. There was something so familiar and organic about the rhythm of the treadle, like a cross between a living heartbeat and some mysterious musical instrument, or the Wizard’s machine in “The Wizard of Oz”.
This tour of your Singer treadle machine has brought back fond memories, and rekindled my interest in getting a treadle machine for myself.
What a sweet story! Thanks for sharing it.
I recently bought a 1923 treadle singer, and it's honestly my favorite machine I've ever used. However, I learned pretty quickly that treadles can sense your fear - as soon as your confidence dips, the wheel goes backwards just to remind you that you aren't the one in control of the situation 😆
Bernadette and Constance giggling away about the treadle sewing machine is the wholesome content I absolutely needed
Treading for bobbin winding, you’re wrapping the tread around the “top post” which is actually a pressure adjuster for the presser foot. You can screw this mechanism clockwise to increase pressure on the presser foot or anti-clockwise to release pressure on the presser foot.
The thread should go through the thread guide on the face plate just as it does for normal machine operation. There’s actually a helpful illustration of this process in the singer 128k manual (available via ISMACS as linked in your description).
Same again with threading the machine for normal use, you shouldn’t be using the pressure bar thumb screw threads, instead wrap it around the small eyelet with slit in the face plate and then continue as you had been treading.
Also I think you’re missing the thread take up spring from the tension regulator (this is often damaged or missing from older machines) but is available as a spare part. If you want to replace it and you’re unable to find it yourself let me know.
My machine was missing that spring when I brought her home too, but I found a replacement on line very easily.
Thanks for the information about adjusting the presser foot ☺ I had never noticed that it was adjustable.
Yes!!
I noticed this too but you explained it much better than I did.
The presser foot being adjustable was one of the exciting things for me about these machines.
I'm surprised Bernadette's machine has been sewing properly and without threads breaking, seeing it wound round the the presser foot adjustment thread was painful! However, I'm willing to bet she notices an improvement when it's properly set up.
My mother-in-law, who is in her 80s, has her grandmother's treadle Singer and table. She has said it will come to my daughter. I've bookmarked this and will share it with them both so that they can both watch it and learn more about their beautiful Singer.
There are more informative videos here on youtube, as well. :) She didnt show getting the thread into the bullet case. Also her machine is missing a spring (easily replaced) that has her threading it incorrectly.
In the center of the hand wheel (Singer calls it the 'balance wheel') is a knob that operates a clutch. Turn the knob to the left to disengage the balance wheel to wind a bobbin without running the machine. Turn and tighten the clutch knob to the right to run the machine normally.
Dear 'tribe', today i nearly cried happy tears as i took possession of my Great grandmother's 1898 Singer treadle sewing machine (i thought it had gone decades ago). Woodwork fully restored, metalwork freshly polished with beeswax and original leather belt in place. I remember sewing with it as a child, during a black out by firelight.
I didn't have anyone else to tell who might appreciate how special this is...thanks 😊
On the subject of solid old things, my sewing machine is from the late 70s. It was given to me as a hand-me-down by a friend of my grandmother and along with the inevitable brown and cream colour scheme, it's mostly solid metal and completely indestructable. I wouldn't be surprised if it outlasts me! (Oh, and it has an equally solid-sounding name: the Riccar Reliant 505!)
I have two electric machines from that general time period! The Kenmore 84 (from 1964, oddly) and the Singer Rocketeer!
I have one too. Lugging up the loft ladder to my "sewing room" was quite an experience in itself. All I kept thinking was - DONT DROP IT ON MY FOOT!!!!! Needless to say, it's on its table and doesn't get moved much😂.
I also have 2 modern machines downstairs, both can do something the other cannot. The Riccar is used for heavier jobs, heavy curtains, covers for arm chairs, setters etc!
@@carolempluckrose4188 it's so heavy, isn't it? I keep mine under a desk and getting it out is a case of "1-2-3-oof!"
Not a sewing machine, but it has been specified that should anything happen to my mom, I get her Kenmore mixer. It is a bit on the newer side, but also built like a tank and using the same kind of motor those mixers have used for decades.
Same - I have my mother's Singer 522, and aside from having to have perished plastic gears replaced, it's indestructible.
the bobbin case is called a "Shuttle." Also, majority of old treadle and handcrank machines do not have a reverse! If you try just treadling backwards, the thread will snap. How do you back stitch? you stop with the needle down, and you have to turn the fabric itself around. How do you zig zag? there's an attatchment for that! If you can find old low shank attachments on Ebay or out at a second hand store or a flea market, I highly recommend playing with them! Bernadette you would LOVE the tuck marker! You measure and mark the first tuck, and with the proper settings on the attachment it'll yes, mark where the next tuck will be for you! A quick study of your machine's foot tells me it's a low shank, with a typical side clamp. Majority of old Singer attachments from the age of straight stitch machines will fit it, as long as it's low shank. The back clamp attachments sadly will not, they were for Singer 66 back clamping machines for a short while until Singer went 'oh wait! we should put it on the typical side!'
If you need to back stitch, just lift the foot and push the fabric backwards as you still stitch as normal. It won't jam the threads.
@@SB_McCollum I'll try this!
@@SB_McCollum This is how my grandmother taught me to back stitch, too. And, the zig zig? She timed her hands to the machine, and moved the fabric side to side. Quite marvelous.
Note: On a hand-turned singer you can disengage the flywheel which will make it so the machine won't make the needle go up and down while you're winding the bobbin.
11:45 That was a big OOOOoooo moment for me though. I just figured I only had one stitch length, thanks
My year 3 (7-8 years old) school teacher had a hand turned Singer. She used to bring it in every now and then as a treat for us to use it to sew something. It was so much fun, and I remember being fascinated by how the wheels all turned each other. The Victorians really did bring some great stuff into existence
I don't sew. I probably never will - but this was a delight to watch. You have that rare gift of making me fascinated by things that I otherwise would have absolutely no interest in. Thank you.
I remember hearing about how my grandfather bought the electric attachment for Nana's treadle machine once they got electricity to the ranch house. Nana had 6 girls to sew dresses and sunbonnets for, often from grain bags. Quilts were made from these dresses after no one fit a dress. I am sure Nana was happy for some primitive electric sewing :)
yeah, my grandma also got an electric upgrade for it at some point
You can "back-stitch" with these Machines . . . You just turn your work, and go back 4 stiches or so, and can pull the top thread to the underside and knot~
I still can't believe that doesn't have to be done on modern machines. It seems decadent 😆
And on the treadle you can raise the foot slightly - so it just hovering above the fabric and pull the fabric forward for a few stitches then lower the foot and let it feed in the usual direction again. To do this on a hand-crank you need an assistant for a second or two to wind the handle for you while you control the presser foot and fabric - which needs two hands. Try as I might I've not been able to finagle another way around it.
If I don't want threads at the very beginning edge of the seam, or don't want to start right at the edge, I start the seam at the "beginning" but in the wrong direction - as if I'm stitching the last few stitches of the seam - and sew a few stitches towards the edge. Then, when I get to the "end" (actually my intended beginning of the seam) I stop with the needle in the pivot position, pivot 180-degrees and continue sewing the seam as normal. This of course works whether you're on a hand-crank or treadle.
@@meganmills6545 I've always thought ~ it's not so much the machine as it is the ARTISAN behind it! Best of Life ~
I've definitely always been doing that but I've had my handcrank for less than a year and had only been making masks.
@@LilacGeese That's very cool ~ Something about those old machines . . . .
The mechanics of these antique machine are fascinating. The joy when Constance got the treadle going!👏🏽👏🏽
It's at 11:02, if you, like me, need to watch this bit repeatedly for your daily serotonine.
I've got a 101 year old handcranked singer machine myself and I absolut adore the sheer beauty of it. Sewing with this machine is a joy. The rhythm of the mechanism is almost hypnotic. I'm sewing mostly messenger bags or cyberpunk cloaks on my machine. The thought of sewing this futuristic projects on such an old machine let's me smile through the whole project. Another thing I want to point out is the smell. My machine was in very good condition as I got it. But of course the wood of the box on which the machine sits smelled a little bit unpleasant. I sewed a little bag, filled it with coffee beans and put it under the machine. It smells much better now. A mix of oil, metal, coffee and history. This machine is one of my favorite belongings ❤️
As someone who has worked with industrial sewing machines, Constance unconsciously looking for the knee lift is a whole mood. I still move my knee to try and bring the presser foot up even when I'm using my own home sewing machine.
That part with Constance was so relatable, when I tried to use my great-grandma's machine as a teenager I had the same hilarious reaction. This video was so beautiful and useful. Tomorrow I'm going to check how's (now) my machine. I hate modern machines, maybe she will be the one.
Omg hearing that professionals also have trouble winding a bobbin makes me feel so much better about never getting it right. Also, loved watching you and your friend giggle over the treadle machine - a scene right out of 1900's I'm sure!
i felt like watching contance struggling with the machine was what watching a victorian figuring out using a modern mobile phone would have looked like 🤣 so cute!
My great grandmother was born in 1898 and her mother gave her a treadle Singer sewing machine and it was passed down all the way to my mother who unfortunately did not keep it but they are beautiful machines!
Had to find this video again, because originally I was watching it because I love the channel and because it's fascinating. However, my grandmother has recently given me her own personal vintage Singer machine (A Model 99 from her mother) and while I know how to use and maintain it... I didn't know how to thread it. Personally I prefer hand-crank over treadle, easier for me and a familiarity as I used to watch my grandmother when I was little. She can't see too well anymore and her health has taken a toll, my elder siblings have been fighting over this machine for years and so she told me she'd settle it once and for all. Next thing I know she was talking about that machine while I was over for tea for her birthday and while I was listening to her reminisce about her memories with it she said "Happy early birthday"... She gave me her machine. On one hand, my elder siblings were FURIOUS about this, but I'm her only grandchild who hasn't asked for money or wanted anything other than to just hang out with her and listen to her talk about her childhood in England and Ireland (She told me the deciding factor was that I reminded her of her mother in how I looked at the machine and how I spoke with her at tea). She named the machine Diane (I wonder WHO she possibly got that name from; grandmother loved Princess Diana) and how she's a sassy machine sometimes but is as gentle as a lamb (Her exact description for "Diane").
EDIT:
We finally figured out that my great grandmother bought the machine in 1924, but it originates from August 1st in 1922. A friend also contacted me about a machine they found in their attic with a case in "rough" condition. The case I had to trash as it was rusted and moldy, but the machine inside was a "Red Eye" Model 66 Singer, which is my grandmother's personal dream machine that she could never find nor afford growing up; she was in tears after I cleaned it up and brought it to her house to see it, and I understand as I had never seen a machine quite as beautiful. This "Red Eye" originates from July 18th in 1911. Despite the case's condition, the machine itself looked nearly new and only needed cleaning for the dust and a little love. It works fine, but until I find or make a case for it the machine will be sitting on my desk, carefully kept covered by a cloth I have. The only damages to it are to the decals and the spool pin is completely bent (I have a few spares), but everything else works (I oiled and lubricated it first of course).
I did not realize that I needed to oil the fly wheel on a treadle. I have a Singer treadle made in 1908 that was purchased for my Great-Great-Grandmother as a wedding present. Singer treadles are very well made. It had no care for 30 years add worked just fine after a few minutes of tinkering.
"if and when you find yourself in the 19th century" BB really coming out here and supporting all us time travellers
Someone has probably mentioned this, but like with modern machines, NEVER use WD40 to lubricate a sewing machine!
Mistake I have made when I was new to the old machines, Luckily I didn't hurt them but I will never *EVER* use that stuff now on my old girl.
What happens?
@@h.c.49 in my experience wd40 is too thin and evaporates too quickly for these old machines. They were designed and built with specific tolerances to operate smoothly. They work best and wear less with a proper sewing machine oil. Also be sure to oil moving parts under the machine and inside the cover plates on the back and on the left side. These are the crank drive and needlebar areas. Having rescued and restored 35 of these old singers I find they are very solidly built and usually cleaning and oiling can have them sewing like new
It actually works as a solvent and breaks down the proper oil. Only use sewing machine oil, not 3-in-1 or anything else or you'll gunk it up.
@survivaltest 370 My old Singer owners manual from 1858-1863 says to use kerosene lol.It is for the Letter A machine.
you don't need to take the needle guide off, just loosen the nut and slide the needle up into place then tighten the screw back down, and also you can disinguage the needle from moving while filling the bobbin by turning the silver knob on the flywheel towards you while holding the flywheel still. your threading the machine wrong also, your going to break your thread. those are not thread groves for the thread but thread groves to adjust foot tension. there is a thread guide on the front of the machine at the top. the thread goes through that then down to the tensioner..
Yes, I cringed watching the thread being guided around the presser foot tension knob! That little hook attached to the faceplate, directly above the tension unit, is where the thread should be going instead. Other models will have a wire hook around that location for the same purpose. There is also a stop motion knob - you hold the hand wheel, and loosen the little knob at the end towards you - so that you can wind the bobbin using the treadle & belt while the needle stays still (and keeps down wear and tear on the rest of the machine). Needle shouldn't be in action while bobbin winding. Tension unit is missing it's check spring too!
@@adrienneg.2401 omg I was cringing almost the whole time. Not being mean to Bernadette but one should know what they are doing before teaching others to do it also.
Oh good! Someone has already mentioned this. I just commented this as well, somehow missed your comment on my first scroll
One more comment...the scene of you teaching Constance how to sew reminded me of a story my Mom and Grandmother both telling me. MamMaw was teaching Mom to sew...had her hands on fabric, close to needle. Mom leaned forward, apparently with treadle positioned just right, and sewed MamMaw's finger! They both screamed...Mom leaned back quickly...feet still on treadle...more screaming...you see where this went. 🤦♀️ Bless her heart, MamMaw's finger was severely stitched. Mom was so traumatized she didn't see again until she was an adult and got an electric machine. She made VERY sure to caution me about keeping fingers away from needle while teaching me to sew. ...and she'd make sure my foot was well away from the pedal before she'd get near to point out anything. 😉
It was a delight to see you and Constance enjoying The Treadle Experience together.
This is so cool. And I especially appreciate that the machine has a mechanism to wind bobbin thread evenly throughout the spool. So many times on my electric machine the bobbin is uneven unless I guide it myself. Even then there's no guarantee lol.
If it helps, the only reason mine’s clean is because my friend is going through a sewing machine cleaning and repair course. You aren’t alone!
@@susiemeadows9838 Thank Heaven for people like your friend!
Constance: You can do it you can do it you can do it no you can’t.
*Practice makes as-close-to-perfect as one can get. You got this Constance!*
Greetings from Alma Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
Astonished to find we both have the same antique Singer Treadle sewing machine!
My cabinet has a single drawer on both sides.
Mine is made in Turkey and serial # 11277765.
Exactly the same as your Treadle.
Where your decals are worn, ironically mine are there, and visa versa.
Wonderful instructions and your enthusiasm are encouraging successful fun sewing days for now and forever.
Keep studying and keep learning and thank you for sharing and teaching with all of us 'Treadle Enthusiasts'.
Blessings,
GiGi
In
Vintage
Fabulous, informative video! I rescued an old Singer from the trash over 50 years ago. I was never sure how to sew with it, but loved the Egyptian motif and oak table so much that I could never part with it. You’ve made it look pretty easy to use. Thanks so much!! ;)
I've posted these tips for treadling on another channel where someone was learning to treadle but I know many of you watching this (and there are many of us!) may have a treadle you haven't mastered yet, or really want to get one some day. It really does take practice, but know what to practice can speed things up. So this is a long comment, but I hope it helps some of you. :-)
Practice to start with so that the handwheel clutch is disengaged (like you'd do for bobbin winding), the presser foot is up and there's no thread or needle in the machine. Have your right foot forward on the treadle pedal (and only push forward with it, that is - away from you) and your left foot towards the back of the treadle pedal (and only push back on the pedal with that foot). You can swap feet whenever you like but the foot to the front pushes forward only and the foot to the back pushes back only. It's a bit like pedalling on a bike in that only one foot pushes down at a time while the other has a little rest. When you stop your feet should stay put - at least one of them so the inertia in the machine doesn't keep moving the machine and pedal. Often as not it will "roll" backwards just to spite you. :-)
Learn to treadle s-l-o-w-l-y so you can figure out where the "dead spots" are on the treadle pedal. You might be lucky and have two but if you're like me you have three (pedal all the way forward, dead level and all the way back). You don't want to stop at those spots because if you do then you need to use your hand on the handwheel to get it going again and it's just harder to get it going again. When you do need to use your hand on the handwheel to start grab it firmly and pull towards you with a bit of vigour. "Stroking" the handwheel is a bit too gentle to efficiently overcome the inertia in the machine.
Your handwheel should only ever come towards you (even for reverse if a machine has it, some brands do even in quite old machines - machines don't "wind backwards" to stitch in reverse). If when you stop your right foot was pushing forward then when you start again if you carry on with the right foot pushing forward the machine wheel will turn the same way it was going when you stopped. It's the same principle if you were pushing backwards with your left foot. Play around with it and observe what happens to the direction the handwheel turns when you stop and then re-start treadling. You'll soon see what I mean if I haven't explained it well.
With practice (and going slow to start with) you'll get the hang of starting up after stopping with the handwheel always coming forward. The moment you see it going the wrong way when you start up again you know you've recommenced treadling with the "wrong foot". Swap to pushing with the other foot immediately and it will go in the right direction again.
After you've got the hang of this engage the clutch again so you can get used to it with the "heavier foot" required to move the whole mechanism of the machine. When you can stop and start pretty much at will (and use your hand on the wheel to do a "decisive stop" when you need to) and always (nearly always!) start in the right direction you're ready to put a needle in the machine and practice sewing on paper. Once you're able to stop and start where and when you want (hint - slow the treadle down as you make the approach to anywhere you want to stop) and guide the paper around corners and curves adjusting the speed as needed with your feet to suit the path you're navigating then you thread her up with a new needle, grab your fabric and sew like a pro!
For any precise sewing it is not cheating to just manually turn the handwheel. Nor is it cheating, if you have a hand-crank on the machine as well, to use that when and where it suits you. Treadling is great for fast sewing and long seams but that doesn't mean you're obliged to use it exclusively before you can call yourself a treadler. :-)
Finally - thread nests under the throat plate are often caused by incorrect threading (eg the thread is not fully between the tension discs, not properly going through all the guides or checkspring) or the handwheel going backwards. If ever you get those loops or nests in random places on a seam rather than all the way along when you haven't even changed the tension on the machine check those two things first.
Bless you and all of your sewing efforts!
@@maryblaylock6545 How kind - thank you Mary!
IF you're a lefty it might be better to reverse placement of your feet on the treadle (right foot towards the back etc. This is what I do on my treadles and it works much better for me....
@@marymalheim Absolutely - and you can even swap them around as you go if you find your ankles or calves get tired or uncomfortable after being in one position for a while. As long as the principles of front foot push forwards and rear foot push backwards it'll work just the same. :-)
This is amazing information. Thank you!
Thank you for reminding me to clean up and oil my late mother's hand turned Singer. She bought it in an antique shop in the late 60's and sewed many of our clothes on it including my communion dress. She even got it serviced before she died so that it would still work for me but I've stuck to my electric one mainly because I didn't know the finer points of using an older machine. And now I find out how old - according to the serial number it's from 1884! It'll be fantastic to get it going again thanks to your video :)
Just two weeks I told my father that I want to try my grandmother's sewing machine from the mid 20th century, but I didn't know how to make it ready. Now I do! Thank you so much!
I have a treadle at home, that I repaired around two years ago. I love it so much and this video really shows what a joy it is to work with such trusty machinery
We were taught how to work a non electric sewing machine when I was in elementary school 😁 The moment with Lady Constance was just sooo sweet 😂
That scene with you and Constance at the machine while she learned how to treadle was heartwarming and wholesome. This is my new favorite video on RUclips.
The glee in Constance's voice when she 'got it' was wonderful. I had no idea a treadle was so complicated. Vive la main! x
I recently acquired a 1896 Standard treadle sewing machine at a thrift store (which turned out to have belonged to my best friend's great grandmother!), and I'm hoping to get it back into sewing condition to use on my own historical sewing journey. Thank you for all this wonderful information!
The part with you teaching Constance is adorable and you can imagine that's how it would be back in the machines time if a lady got a treadle when they were new tech and having the same fun you two had with it 🥺
I know! Right?
About 45 years ago, I bought an 1888 Singer machine at a yard sale. Cleaned, lubed, and replaced the belt, and used it until 10 years ago, when my aunt sold me her mother's 1950's electric. Both are still in my sewing room, along with a Singer serger. We have Amish families in our area, so belts and bobbins are available at the Singer dealer. If you have old bobbins, make sure they have no corrosion. That's a lovely stained glass tulip lamp you have. My machine is against a wall, so I hung a gooseneck lamp off the wall and directed at the machine.
You are a lovely gal with a very nice voice.
You have inspired me to learn how to sew. My auntie recently gave me my grandmother's vintage featherweight Singer from August 1960 (the receipt was still in the carrying case), so now I have a machine to actually begin my sewing adventures. I'm nervous, but excited.
Wonderful as ever, thanks for this video. But some points: Not all old swing shuttle sewing machines require flat piston needles - You should smooth the hole in the needle plate - When winding, loosen the screw on the handwheel - Don't pass the thread around the top post, only through the upper guide - Important: Before threading the thread between the tension discs, lift your foot. Just as you have done - I've had good experience with putting one foot on the front of the footplate, one on the back - I've had good experience with putting one foot on the front of the footplate, one on the back - You can secure the seam by turning the fabric.
A few other tips for treadling: I treadle barefoot (this has been recommended in several vintage sewing machine groups. It gives you a better feel for what is going on with the pedal), and I use both feet instead of one. My foot on the dominant side is in the back (farthest away), and the non dominant is in the front (closest to the floor). The non-dominant heel is on the floor, so just my toes are on the pedal. I start the flywheel with my hands to get the pedal going, then push back and forth alternating feet. Give this method a try - it is SO much easier to treadle this way than relying on one foot.
I love antique Singer sewing machines!!! They sew sooooooo well and are always reliable!! It's so fun to see others' fondness for these old lovely ladies! 💖
I had access to a treadle machine years ago, and learned that using both feet was much easier than one. Once you get going it is sort of like dancing, using my feet in concert to maintain the "swing" of the treadle. (Someone mentioned it was like swinging, and that is a great analogy.)
I agree both feet and barefoot all the time.
A Singer treadle is the first machine I learned to sew on. It was my Granny's and my Mama still uses it today. You did a wonderful job of explaining the process, it is a "feeling". Excellent video, thank you.
Makes me think of my grandmother and great aunt. My great aunt sewed for the public and had an old treadle machine that had been converted to electric. My grandmother had a treadle machine and the summer I was about 11 or 12 I spent several weeks with her as I usually did each summer and she showed me how to use her treadle machine. Both of these ladies were fantastic seamstresses. I remember my grandmother teaching me to thread a needle and knot the thread when I was about 6 years old. I began sewing doll clothes by hand and by around 8 or 9 was sewing on my mother’s electric sewing machine. By the time I was in high school I made most of my own clothes and my mother’s too. I could have so many more clothes by making them myself and I could have fashions not available in my rural east Texas area. This was the late 1960’s and the mod fashions weren’t available in our rural area. I wanted to be a clothing designer and worked many years in the garment industry. I don’t sew clothes very much anymore due to price of fabric and lack of availability of fabric I like but still enjoy it.
I’m 66 and in my teens and twenties used a treadle machine to make clothes ! I so remember that sound fondly, sadly it was lost along the way of life and oh so many house moves including abroad. Lovely video thank you Bernadette 😍😎🇫🇷
I'm 41 and my granny taught both us grandboys how to sew on a treadle. She had a modern machine but made sure we knew how to use that treadle first.
I feel like there's a parallel universe where Bernadette is an evil baroness who forces prisoners to try and operate the treadle machine without instruction and forces them to sew a ridiculously long garment before they can be released.
Headcanon accepted! Bernadette, we need a video of this, NOW. Stitched down pleats in a circle skirt would do nicely... 🤣🤣
Constance's laughter at getting it was the unadulterated joy I needed to hear today. Well done at getting the feeling Constance!
It was lovely, wasn't it? Pure joy 🥰
I recently restored a Singer 15, originally bought in 1936 by my great grandmother. I cleaned, lubed, adjusted everything and upgraded it from pedal to a motor + added a light (using the original mounts). My grandma loved it because now she can sew easily, and put the machine anywhere she wants to instead of being dependant on the original foot and table. Those machines will outlast you if you keep up with minimal maintenance, and they will sew on anything from the lightest fabric to thick leather. I was considering getting a new straight industrial machine, but tbh the only improvement it has over the old Singer is more speed (and maybe zigzag).
The smoothness while using it, plus knowing it's a family heirloom makes it a very special experience, can't wait to inherit it although I also love having the excuse of needing to sew to go visit my grandparents ❤
I’m in my 40s but I learned on a treadle machine at around 9 yo. It’s easy even for a child and so much fun. I always think of “treadling” as sitting on a swing. Gathering speed is all about subtle movements at the right time. That said, my vintage machines are electric and after having very pricey modern machines for most of my adult life I can say my current baby, a 1947 Singer 201k, is the best machine I’ve ever sewn on
I remember sitting on the floor while my Grandmother Ross used her machine. She would allow me to operate the treadle for her. Watching this, I no longer imagine that I was helping much! I remember the light streaming through the window onto the wood plank floor with the shadows of the panes slowly stretching out through the afternoon.
I love this video! I have several machines, including a treadle and a hand-cranked machine. On my old machines I have left the needle in, lifted the presser foot, rotated the work 180 degrees and resumed sewing for a few stitches to 'backstitch' when needed. My treadle cabinet needs some repair, and the belt is too loose. I can't wait to get it back up and running soon.
Yes!! This is my biggest complaint with machines newer than the 60s or 70s - you can’t stop them with the needle in the down position. It is so frustrating to try to make sharp, crisp corners and collar points, etc when you can’t stop with the needle down, lift the foot and pivot the fabric before putting the foot back down and carrying on! I had to jettison the brrrr machine and go back to my old standby!
@@Lucinda_Jackson Depends on the machine. My mother's new Elna (bought early 2000's) had a button you could push that put the needle down so you could turn corners like that. Plus, you could advance the flywheel for fine-tuning if needed.
@@warriormaiden9829
That was very unusual in the machines I saw. I’m glad you had that advantage, still.
@@Lucinda_Jackson
I’ve never seen a sewing machine where you can’t push a button or turn the wheel to get the needle down to turn a corner.
@@ragnkja
🤷🏼♀️ Okay. 😂
I have one of those at my parents house that I plan to have back one I move into a bigger flat. I can't wait to use it since it's working and we normally have all of the pieces needed. It's a really interresting model too, since the machine is actually hidden inside of the wodden desk part. The top of the desk has hinges on the side and you can open it into a larger warking area, and then you fold out the machine and there you go! We employed the machine as a computer desk, and I used to temper my adhd by operating the treadle while working.
I really hope to stumble into a broken machine one day to just reclaim the treadle part to use it on my everyday desk (without having to destroy a working machine).
Keep an eye out in local thrift shops, or talk to local machine shops. Ask them to give you a call when a broken one comes in. Should be able to pick it up for $100 or less. :)
My great grandmother had the same model. My mom got it when my grandma passed.
Treadle Lady on Etsy has a small instruction booklet on treadles, and carries belts, needles and bobbins. Also, don't overlook Whites, which were equally popular and had some beautiful bases.
We got the Treadle Lady's kit and it was so nice. We have a Minnesota A and are still figuring it all out.
Fun to hear Constance giggling during her process. 😃Good job. If you want to back stitch, you actually pivot the fabric around with the needle in the project and go forward. I learned that from My Mother's Tan Metal Monster (Singer) electric machine from the 1950's. That didn't have a backstitch invented yet. Not easy to pivot fabric if you have a large project.
My great-grandmother's 1896 treadle has been sitting in the basement of my grandparent's house for thirty years, when I saw that video where you acquired a similar one I was hoping you would post a tutorial! And you did, so now I know how to actually use it! Thank you!!
You can find the manuals for most models online, and that should help you get up and running. Do not try to follow this video, the machines were threaded incorrectly and had part of the tension assembly missing. They're pretty tough little things and parts are easy to find, so good luck with getting it back in work again!
There are also some great videos on YT on how to fit the new treadle belt.
I learned only yesterday that my mom learned to sew on my great grandmother’s treadle Machine and that it is still at their old farm house were my uncle lives now that both of my great grandparents have passed. I really hope that I can see it one day.
*UNSCREW THE KNOB* in the middle of your flywheel handle on the right - it will stop the mechanism from working whilst you wind the spool...
At 5:03 you can see there is a hook sticking out of the cover plate [far left] - THIS is where the thread goes around and NOT the foot tensioner - for both bobbin winding and sewing
Yup. I have the same thing on my machine from the 60's. My little snot of a 6 yr old has figured out how to disengage that, so now anytime I sit down to sew, I have to double check that before going. 😑 Old girl needs that fly-wheel break out as well, otherwise she takes off without ya! 😆
You wanna hear something funny, I was ready to take my 1953 99k hand crank to the repair shop, since it wasn't making stitches when turned. I got as far as looking up how to fix the timing, when I realized I'd disengaged the needle movement by accident.
My grandma had one of these and it sat happily in its cover for years before I moved to a way smaller house. I didn't want to just toss the machine and they weren't exactly selling online. Our old Moroccan neighbor said she wanted it. She took to it like a fish to water. Turns out that in her childhood she had learned to sew on one of these and had never gotten the hang of electric ones. She was supremely happy to have a sewing machine again, so it was happily gifted.
I learned something from the manuals I scoured for more information about my Singer: You can disengage the needle when making the bobbin. This may not be a universal feature on all of the Singers, but on the Singer 127, you turn the inner knob on the hand wheel counter-clockwise and the needle and feed dogs won't wear down, especially when they aren't needed.
My grandma has an antique treadle machine and when I would go to her house as a kid I would always play with the treadle. All of the tips you gave about using a treadle machine remind me of all of the troubles I had playing with it trying to get a good rhythm. After watching this video I really hope I can restore it one day and actually sew something with it!
Wow, such a beautiful video! It makes me want to give my 1896 machine a fresh dusting and oiling. I bought mine about 5 or 6 years ago in rough shape, but after a thorough cleaning and a replaced belt, it works good as new and I've made so, so many garments with it. I had almost forgotten how hard it is to use when you're not used to the rhythm. To me, the lovely clacking it makes is just like music. Not to mention the aesthetics of these machines! Where did the style go??
I worked in a sewing shop that sold modern machines, and it’s *so* neat seeing what’s similar and how things have changed over the years 😊
I taught myself to sew on a treadle in 1964 at 14 years old. My neighbour let me use her treadle in exchange for helping her son with his homework. I never had an electric machine until 30 years later. I sewed myself, my children, my home, and my vintage and handmade market stall for decades on my treadle.
My friend, who’s mother, grandmother, and aunties were haute couture seamstresses, taught me an invaluable treadle hack to compensate for no backstitch. Stitch 2-3 stitches, stop with the needle down in the work, turn the work, sew back to the beginning stitch, turn and sew on. If you want a less secure start, start from 3 stitches away from the beginning of the seam with the work facing the opposite direction, stitch 3 stitches, needle down in the work, turn the work and stitch on
To secure at the end of the seam just reverse the process
I treadled for years with a baby/toddler on my lap. Facing in to me of course. They were soothed to sleep by the rocking motion of my legs. I had very strong legs due to that
I also learned to treadle two footed. One for speed and one for brake.
Back in the 1960s, one of my mom's older friends (who was in her 80s at the time) would babysit me now and then. I distinctly recall her Victorian Singer Sewing machine which was set up in her bedroom. It did have a treadle. I found it fascinating at the time, so it was certainly fun and educational to watch this video! I never thought of the fact that one can 'feel' sewing, but I can understand why since the machine cannot sew without human feet on the treadle. Thank you Bernadette!
This is like a guide to my childhood, I already hear the light 'clacking' of the machine in my ears. I grew up with the sewing machine of my grandmother from the 1930s (it was a gift from her parents for her 18th birthday, she later on became a dressmaker) I always used play around with it when I was little😊🗝
I've been obsessed with these since childhood - my aunt has a shoemaker's treadle machine (and some of the wooden shoe molds still!) and we used to play in it as children and be completely amazed by how it worked. That part hasn't gone away. But I've never felt keen to constantly use one. My grandma had really bad knee problems, seemingly from using a treadle machine all her life. She was always very thankful for the motor you could attach to the sewing machine, to make it electric instead. But they truly *are* wondrous!
Most Grandparents have bad knees no matter how they actually lived their life. Knees can take a LOT of abuse... until they can't. Best advice is simply to take any chronic pain seriously and get it properly looked at by professionals. And if you are young enough not to have chronic pain - take stretching seriously!
My g-grandpa hooked up a 12 volt motor to my g-grandmas machine and would pull the battery out of his truck while he was working. He logged with mules and they didn't have power in their house till the early 70s. All before my time but I've heard stories she would run the batt so low he would have to get her to help him push start his truck in the evenings to charge the battery. That machine is my nightstand now.
OMG, it reminded me of my mom making clothes for me and my sister. She had a treadle operated machine at her disposal, which was owned by her landlord. This was nearly sixty years ago!
What an interesting rental perk! "Amenities include a fishing pond out back, off-street parking, access to a sewing machine in the basement" 😄 Sign me up! Seriously though, I wonder how common it might have been for there to be a sewing machine for people in the building to use (I'm picturing the 3-Family units common to my area of New England vs a 30 unit building)?
@@brendaleelydon As I said, this was 60 years ago and it was a house that was built after WW2. It was not common to have such amenities, the landlord was very kind indeed. Four families lived in that house.
I’m a hand-spinner and this episode really spoke to me. I use a drop Turkish spindle, which seems (and probably is in many ways) much simpler than spinning on a wheel but there’s a definite learning curve. It’s very organic- you’re in a relationship and you must respect the spindle as a partner. You need good listening skills. It’s also kind of like dancing with a partner. You’d like to learn to dance *together* as opposed to one person dragging the other forcefully across the floor.
Anyway, there were tears and swearing at the beginning of my journey. I came to appreciate that every spindle is different. Sometimes you have to try a few out before you find the right one. When you do, it’s joyful.
When I was a kid, we had an Antique sewing machine table. There was no sewing machine on it, but the treadle was there. I would spend hours treadling away while coloring, doing homework, or just daydreaming at the table. Years later, I bought a table from a restaurant that had a treadle underneath. I still love the motion. It is so soothing.
Actually that back thing “for the thread” is for the pressure foot tension and that little hook at the front is for the action you used the pressure foot tension screw for I forgot to put that you are also supposed to disengage the stitch mechanism as to not damage the machine
Yes absolutely right!
IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR TIME TRAVELERS. I freaking love it.
This came at a perfect time for me! I recently found a 1891 hand turning Singer in a vintage shop in South London, absolutely in love with it but haven't road tested it yet so this will 100% kick me into action. Also, what you said about them being sturdy and built to last is so true, I was in Namibia on a research trip and there were women in the middle of the desert with Victorian singer machines, creating beautiful garments and bags/ purses with them. It's the perfect solution as there was obviously no electricity in the vicinity and they all knew how to use and fix them far better than I know my modern sewing machine.
I learned to sew on our mother's treadle machine, and still have one that I love. Use both feet, left on the back part of foot plate and right on front nearest you. You can really sew faster, it will be more even and will not wear out your ankle.
Yes, this is how my grandma taught me in hers! I tried to explain it in another comment but my English failed me. This video is bringing back so many memories
Ever since I found my 1936 knee operated singer, I've been eagerly hunting for a treadle machine, I appreciate this educational video.