My latest video
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I wanted to showcase the ~1870s sewing machine that I'm currently working on (best watched full screen).
Link to video -
I enjoyed seeing that machine in action and learning you had a YouTube channel.
I am sorry that we never managed to meet in person during visits that my wife and I made to New England.
If you like a variety of old machines of various sorts, someplace not too far removed from you is the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont (https://americanprecision.org/), housed in the 1846 Robbins & Lawrence Armory, a National Historic Landmark. It's definitely worth a visit IMHO.
Big Al
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Cool!
So at the end, you said “the restoration is ongoing” — what else needs to be restored? Because it looks like the sewing machine is fully functioning.
@ShiroKuro , Some areas of the head (the actual machine) and the bed of the head were down to bare metal, the Japanning (the original black lacquer finish) having worn away. I've been painting those areas with a black engine enamel because it's a really good color match (it's surprising difficult to match the black color of the old Japanning). At the moment, I'm not happy with the difference in level between the existing finish and the black enamel and I've already applied four coats. Supposedly, with the right number of coats, the enamel will build up and eventually be the same thickness as the Japanning. But it looks like it's going to take a lot of coats so I'm looking for alternatives. And the wooden table and drawers need refinishing. I had hoped to do that this past summer, alas it hasn't happened yet.
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That is great, @Bernard ! Nice work on both the placemats and the sewing machine restoration.
Is that vintage fabric, or a modern fabric with a vintage pattern?
@wtg The fabric printed with wreaths could be vintage. I found it at the thrift shop for $1.50. The selvedge is printed with "Country Classics Christmas by Ameritex." One of the background fabrics (square plaid) could also be vintage. Found that at the thrift shop as well. The candy cane striped fabric is new from the local quilt shop.
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I enjoyed seeing that machine in action and learning you had a YouTube channel.
I am sorry that we never managed to meet in person during visits that my wife and I made to New England.
If you like a variety of old machines of various sorts, someplace not too far removed from you is the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont (https://americanprecision.org/), housed in the 1846 Robbins & Lawrence Armory, a National Historic Landmark. It's definitely worth a visit IMHO.
Big Al
@Big_Al "YouTube channel" in a loose sense. It's basically where I put videos that I want to share with friends or add to my blog. Making videos takes a lot of time! I don't know how vloggers do it.
Thanks for the Museum link and info! Sounds like my cup of tea. I love old machines from before electricity (hand, water, foot powered)--from the late 1800s especially. I will most certainly be paying them a visit. It's only about a hour away from here (it would be faster if there weren't so many 30 mph speed limits in the way!
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@ShiroKuro , Some areas of the head (the actual machine) and the bed of the head were down to bare metal, the Japanning (the original black lacquer finish) having worn away. I've been painting those areas with a black engine enamel because it's a really good color match (it's surprising difficult to match the black color of the old Japanning). At the moment, I'm not happy with the difference in level between the existing finish and the black enamel and I've already applied four coats. Supposedly, with the right number of coats, the enamel will build up and eventually be the same thickness as the Japanning. But it looks like it's going to take a lot of coats so I'm looking for alternatives. And the wooden table and drawers need refinishing. I had hoped to do that this past summer, alas it hasn't happened yet.
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Love this video, Bernard! The machine seems almost primitive, but then I think what a revolution it must have been to not have to sew by hand!
My curiosity is piqued by the small glimpses of your home. I would love to see a video showing the details of your decor and the whole rooms.
Are you going to stuff this sewing project to make pillows?
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@Bernard ooh! Now that you mention it, I know those are usually black, of course!
Well, that restoration sounds like a lot of work! I look forward to the before and after photos!
@ShiroKuro The camera I'm using is a Canon VIXIA HF R500 that I bought about ten years ago. It's got optical zoom and image stabilization which is a big help. Yes, I use a tripod to hold it while I'm doing something for the camera.
For editing I'm using Wondershare Filmora without the "pro" bit, so it's free. I don't have access to some of the fancier settings, but right now I don't need them. But it has a lot to offer for free. It's a fun process, but very time consuming. I suppose the more one works with it, the faster one becomes.
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@Bernard wow, the before and after pics of the treadle!!
Re your camera, that explains a lot! Cellphone cameras are great and all…
I don’t do that much video editing, but when I make a piano video with my phone, doing even the simplest editing tasks on my phone is kind a huge pain in the rear!
Partly I think it’s because you have to do everything with your finger, and the screen is small so the on-screen controls are limited…
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Love this video, Bernard! The machine seems almost primitive, but then I think what a revolution it must have been to not have to sew by hand!
My curiosity is piqued by the small glimpses of your home. I would love to see a video showing the details of your decor and the whole rooms.
Are you going to stuff this sewing project to make pillows?
@pique Glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, it was indeed a revolution. When one of the earliest sewing machines was being produced by Barthélemy Thimonnier (1793 - 1857), his opening of the first sewing machine clothing shop (to make military uniforms) practically caused a riot. A couple hundred tailors from all over France stormed his shop and destroyed several of the sewing machines. They feared lack of jobs and lower wages. (An age old problem, and wouldn't it be nice if humanity figured out a way to proceed technologically without causing suffering!)
These are not going to be pillows. They are simple placements, inexpensive, easy to care for.
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@Bernard wow, the before and after pics of the treadle!!
Re your camera, that explains a lot! Cellphone cameras are great and all…
I don’t do that much video editing, but when I make a piano video with my phone, doing even the simplest editing tasks on my phone is kind a huge pain in the rear!
Partly I think it’s because you have to do everything with your finger, and the screen is small so the on-screen controls are limited…
@ShiroKuro Rustoleum's Rust Reformer... it's results are nothing short of a miracle.
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@ShiroKuro Rustoleum's Rust Reformer... it's results are nothing short of a miracle.
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