Restoration Eye Candy: An Abandoned Singer 28K Sewing Machine Comes Back to Life

[@lexieandcece]

I have pictures of my great grandmother and her daughter, my grandmother, in 1912 sitting at and next to their pride possession, a Singer sewing machine. This was on the smallest island of the Azores where only 2 families owned one. So you can imagine how proud they were. To this day, in my opinion, I believe that no modern sewing machine or any craft tools have the beauty of those early 1900 creations. I love that you shared this with us, thank you. You brought back many memories.

[@kellyfazekas7831]

Old Singer machines are such beautiful works of art.

[@barbarasmith2693]

Oh, she's stunning! And this video...oh my god. Sorry to gush. I just don't know how it could be more perfect. The lighting, the music, the angles, the details? Oh my heart. Is it normal that this made me cry? It was like watching you lovingly and meticulously wash her face while being so very careful not to remove the laugh lines that come from age and were earned by a well lived life. Perfection. Seeing your hands turn the latch on the case made me think of the hands that must have done the exact same thing before you and to wonder about all the items this exquisite machine helped to create. Oh, thank you for sharing her restoration. Whoever your anonymous benefactor is, I can't imagine they could have asked for a better token of gratitude than this video. It was like a love letter. Certainly, this machine has been placed in exactly the right hands.

[@sandycordero8973]

Beautifully said....

[@catepolacek]

I can’t decide what I love most about this - the anonymous benefactor, the machine that’s lasted all these years, all the details on it, the restoration process, the first run of it after all the clean up. Just lovely.

[@terryhickman7929]

...to know once again, at long last, what it is to be loved.

[@cloggyd9784]

I think it is lovely that a stranger recognised the value of something old and battered and made sure it would be treated with love and care by giving it to you. I have a 128k called Sally and I just love the way they sound. It makes sewing a pleasure , it’s very soothing. I loved this, it made me cry and smile.

[@944gemma]

Me too.

[@kellynickles2178]

Your Anonymous Benefactor KNEW where this lovely lady needed to be. She was placed in the most absolutely perfect home! Thank you, Franklin for sharing with us the loving care that she so deserves. ❤️👵🏻❤️

[@mistyblue5312]

I worked at Singer - my first job in Marketing back in the day. This brought back so many memories... Singer Manufacturing would be so proud. Thank you for this epic restoration. No words!💐👏👏👏

[@jerriecook6908]

The music fit so incredibly well with the Singer.

[@kathleenkaar6557]

Anybody else drop a little tear? This was precious, thank you Franklin.❤️

[@Katheverett]

I was mesmerized - I had to stop everything to watch this beautiful transformation. Very well done in all respects!

[@leeannelange6551]

The beginning of this video almost made me cry, seeing how this machine had been uncared for. It quickly became a love letter to these beautiful machines. Such a lovely thing, to watch this beauty emerge from the dust and grime, like a butterfly from a cocoon. ❤

[@terrihall3247]

Amazing! As I watched you lovingly restore this wonderful machine, I couldn’t help but think of the seamstress(s) or tailor(s) and their creations. I nearly wept. Thank you!

[@mysticmaven6261]

I did weep ❤️

[@sarawhitley-kinzett221]

In 1975 my ex husband decided that I needed a new sewing machine, he took my Singer 100th anniversary special edition portable machine and returned with an awful plastic thing. It was a present from my Mother who had lived in Leicester where they were made. It is still a stone in my heart to think about it, enjoy your beautiful gift.

[@firedragonll6289]

I am so sorry for your loss. ❤️

[@manumanumanu975]

my mother decided that she needed a new sewing machine, she tooks my grandmother 's antique Singer machine and returned with an awful plastic thing.................sad but true!

[@thecraftyannapolitan5453]

Ex indeed!!! So sorry that you had that experience.😠😣😧

[@mamiesews123]

My father did the same thing to my mother.she quit sewing 😢

[@jenniferjohnson9335]

Oh, Franklin. The transformation from just an old sewing machine to a stately classic was amazing! The TLC with which you accomplished this brought tears to my eyes. Heck, Singer should give you a shout-out--you made their workmanship really shine. The music was wonderful also. Thank you for sharing!

[@robinsidwell6241]

I love that after cleaning and polishing this grand old lady, you threaded her up and made her useful again. Just beautiful.

[@jeaniemaher1681]

I may have shed a tear. This is amazing! Amazing that it was left outside your door-they knew who they were gifting it to. Amazing the care given to this beautiful machine so it can sew again. I loved this so much!

[@greatexp59]

How marvelous it is that you allowed us to not only see the restoration in progress, but you allowed us to hear her sing to us!

[@stephenvinson6474]

what one might remember....those skilled un named people who worked for Singer assembling and in other ways crafting these machines....fortunately, in many cases Singer preserved the date on which each machine was assigned its serial number--.not just the year but the Month And Day. So the loving care and restoration I see here, to me, honors not only the machine's integrity but all those who participated in the final result! Thank you for this lovely video!

[@marywinklea52]

Oh how beautiful! When I was 10 years old my father gave me a miniature replica of the first Singer sewing machine. He also built a little table for it to be attached to.I made many outfits for my dolls with my little hand powered sewing machine. I loved my little sewing machine and kept it for years. Sadly it was stolen along with my Great Grandfather's violin when my home was broken into. Thank you Franklin for restoring this beautiful machine and invoking so many bitter sweet memories.

[@lornas-w4661]

How hard....but they could not steal your memories nor one bit of all the love therein. Thank you for sharing your wonderful true 'valuables'.

[@marywinklea52]

@@lornas-w4661 Thank you Lorna

[@kathydent2116]

A marvelous piece of machinery never gets old. I have inherited a Singer 201K (1960s) from my mother and I also learned to sew on a Singer when I was at school. I could sit down and use that one you have with ease, as Singer never strayed far from the basics of this wonderful design for most of the twentieth century. Thanks for a perfect film with a perfect choice of music. America, be proud: Singer sewing machines were the best in the world.

[@colleenuchiyama4916]

One of my biggest disappointments in life was not getting my grandmother’s treadle Singer. It was pristine. Lucky you!

[@ohsewsue2067]

Thanks for sharing this Franklin. It reminds me of the time I bought a slightly younger version of this machine from a car boot sale for £5. I took it home and enjoyed cleaning it up and it became one of my prized possessions - I just love the sound of it as it sews and the smell of it (I know, weird). When we moved house recently, my husband suggested getting rid of it - I suggested getting divorced!! It's so lovely that someone knew you were the right person to receive this - enjoy.

[@lizadams7662]

How lovely to revisit a machine like the one I used as a child. Ours was a treadle,but the head was like this one. The muscle memory of filling the bobbin, sliding it into the shuttle, bringing the thread through that slit! Of threading the top thread through and around all the guides. That tiny spring! I totally relived a long ago memory. Thank you. This is really museum quality documenting.

[@Woeschhuesli]

This was a beautiful homage to your new machine. What a fantastic and appropriate gift! It was also a good tutorial on how to clean up an old machine. My grandmother's machine has finally made it from the UK to central Europe with a pause in France, and although it works (and she sewed on it until she was 95, i.e. 2011 and I made clothes on it in the early 1980s as a teen) it definitely needs some tlc and a good and loving clean. I haven't been able to identify it, since the only lettering on it is "British Made" and a serial number (and the plate is plain, unlike your beautiful Singer decorative plate!), so I don't know how old it is, but it is also hand cranked and uses those same Singer bobbins and shuttles, so I have some detective work to do... I estimate it being post WWI but who knows?! I'm not even sure how Granny got it because my mom says she had a Singer in the 40s/50s but which she seems to have passed on and this one could or could not be from a great-aunt and may or may not have been converted from a treadle...!

[@M15Guys]

Beautiful film and music. My most therapeutic and relaxed 17.31 minutes today. Inspirational (I have both a Singer Sewing Machine and a Victorian Knitting Machine and I am inspired to complete a clean up of both tomorrow ). Thank you xx

[@DebiSmithPouliot]

Beautiful. I hope your benefactor views this to see how much love is being put into the restoration. I can hear the machine give a sigh of relief.

[@alexandrawoods4312]

With skill, time, love and patience you made a small miracle happen to a beloved little Singer. A joy to watch and to listen as the magic unfolded. Thank you so much.

[@jjacobs6522]

What a lovely aural and visual poem to sewing and the vintage machine!

[@clementihammock7572]

Isn't it lovely. An old century machine that's provided many household comfort. Thanks, you made my day.

[@elizabethdelong6431]

Just beautiful Franklin! Whoever left it knew you would bring it back to it’s original glory.

[@SharonEmery-StudioFive]

Ohhh the sweet clickity clickity sound of a person-powered machine! So beautiful. And thank you for the supplies list. Oxoxo

[@wilmer4258]

Beautiful lady!!! I refurbished a 27 treadle dated 1894. She is the gingerbread decals and just as lovely as yours. I also have Free No 5 treadle made in 1925. It is very similar tonthe 27 and 28s nd I've used 27 part to refurbish it. The FREE is just as lovely and stitches just as beautifully. There is nothing more loverly then these old ones. And they sew beautiful stitches.

[@kathymackay1623]

This was so heartwarming to watch. The dear old machine sounded purely joyful as it clicked along with its first stitches in who knows how long. I wonder... Truly lovely work, Franklin. ❤️

[@getully]

Awesome Sauce! She looks so great and runs so well now. You have given me the kick-in-the-seat-of-the-pants to work on the treadle machines at the village and stop putting it off in favor of using the spinning wheels and looms in the loom house!

[@joanneginever1890]

Just wow! That was absolutely amazing. The machine is lovely, but ... Your cinematography is just mindblowing. I was absolutely mesmerised, exquisite with the glorious piano accompanyment blending beautifully with the video content. Bravo. Truly a masterpiece. Love the recon Singer too.👏👏👏👏👏💖😊

[@souffle53]

Just a beautiful job. I actually almost cried from watching you restore this lovely machine. Thank you!

[@donnajohnson9834]

One of the loveliest documentaries that I have seen- I echo earlier comments that it brought tears and a flood of memories. To be restored with such tender care… such a gift. I recently brought my grandmothers 1920 era treadle back from Pennsylvania, and it sits in my garage awaiting care. I only hope that I can do it justice, but am inspired to try. Thank you for sharing.

[@blackbean4509]

This will be my second time watching you restore your historic treasure....It’s incredible & yes I’m just a bundle of love and sentimentality.

[@pbar8439]

What a beautiful Lady! Look at the stitch quality!! I dare say better than today. I just love the vintage machines. I have a few in my collection, I have a Singer Red Eye treadle, two Featherweights, 301a, Singer Fashionmate, Rocketeer and a Necchi Julia. I also have newer machines. I just take turns sewing on them so they all get loved. Loved the photography and music. Very relaxing. Thank you for sharing.

[@PuffStitch]

Imagine the garments from the past that were sewn on this machine. Wonderful video!

[@vanlifecrone4618]

Such a beauty! I have her younger sister a 1918 with hand crank and “La Vincedora” decals. Her case is nearly identical but with an inset lock and latch. Her name is Beulah and I use her to sew while camping. I just used her to make curtains for all my van dwelling friends. They are a joy to own.

[@elaineh6280]

I'm so glad you brought her back to life as she is, and she is beautiful. Will all of her age. Just imagine the baby clothes, the school clothes, the wedding garments, the burial shrouds she may have seen. She has literally been part of the fabric of someone's life. You do her so much justice and so much love and honor.

[@joannadyson3620]

There’s an awful lot of love in this film. Just beautiful to see. Thank you so much.

[@bbgeneva7203]

running to thebasement right now to get my grandmother’s vintage Singer and begin the restoration. This has inspired me! Beautiful photography and music and a tribute to the machine and all of the lives it has touched. Thanks for posting and sharing. Now off to the basement………..

[@blackbean4509]

Very beautiful video and sewing machine you did it with such love and patience. I’m so happy that you shared that process with us.

[@dianathorpe2280]

Beautiful restoration of such a beautiful old machine. I have three antique sewing machines and love them so much. Two of them I restored including a treadle. I know you are thrilled to own this gorgeous little baby. Lucky you and such a wonderful thoughtful benefactor who gave this to you. Thank you so much for sharing. Lovely music and beautiful video.

[@deniseschichner6876]

The workmanship on those old machines is incredible! Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@Isilsartari76]

I have just got a 1910 coffin case singer 28K myself after many years without a hand crank machine. I am for some reason terrified of the more modern machines but have felt comfy on hand cranks in the past. My new baby is sweet! She trundles away happily and loved the small care I have given her so far. A week clean for the metal exposed bits and the top case a good polish. A ton of grime came off. I think she will like living with me as I will oil her, polish her case and keep her sweet. Can't let the old girls give up.

[@jennywhite867]

Oh goodness I'm crying with the sheer beauty of this video! Thank you for sharing.

[@scorpioninblue]

Woderful video! You've proven that a finely crafted machine can last for more than a lifetime. Nowadays people are beginning to realize what treasures vitntage machines are.

[@Uncle_Steve71]

An absolute joy to watch. Seeing a great machine back to life.

[@lisbethfarmarbowers6476]

I learned to sew on an old Singer just like this one. It was my mother’s and it had mother of pearl flowers on it as well. I often wish I had it now. ❤️🪡🧵

[@betseyfowler2625]

I love the video, music and the sound of the machine working again. I bet the previous owner was in tears when it ran! Love the heart shaped gear that wound the bobbin. And you stitched a heart!

[@lesliehamilton6151]

The bobbin winding mechanics were so amazingly simple and effective. Thanks for sharing.

[@debrarodriguezestrada2748]

You are gifted, in every sense of the word. Thank you for so brilliantly sharing your gift.

[@curlew-3592]

I can feel that machine breathing a sigh of relief and saying Thankyou 😁 What amazing quality machines they were. I recently cleaned up my grandmas one and it worked immediately after having been in an attic for 50 years.👍

[@kathleenallan321]

this video is a work of art...as is the sewing machine. The people who took such care with its making live on with it. I am so touched about every bit of this story! Thank you.

[@lindagallalee9369]

I had a big old clump of yarn to unwind, and this was the perfect accompaniment. I cried. The music was so on point, so reverent for this grand old lady. I never could see, but my mom and grandma both did, a lot. Thank you SO much for this, Franklin!

[@chrisb1682]

How wonderful.... Brought back so many memories of my childhood. I have my grandmother’s treble machine which is just beautiful in itself. Thank you for sharing 🌿💕

[@louisagrubb1131]

I really enjoyed watching the loving care with which you cleaned and restored this beautiful piece of history. The music was a perfect accompaniment

[@andreamedici7220]

I have almost the exact same machine, built in 1912! The decals are all the same, including the one on the outside of the cover. Thank you for documenting your restoration.

[@AnEnchantedLife]

What a wonderful restoration you've done, and I loved the accompanying music, too!

[@emiishino5422]

What a treasure. I love old sewing machines. The pre-war machines had such beautifully engraved faceplates. I always wonder what the last thing the owner sewed on it before it was put away. Well done.

[@fitdadexperiment-3eight797]

I’m looking into channels about these old machines. I’m glad I found this. It speaks volumes regarding your honesty about not using this video as a how to and then linking a source for folks to go to. Thank you for the links to what you used as well. I truly enjoyed this video. The piano was just amazing.

[@bruceglendening4745]

Oh wow, just magnificent! Beautifully done. Bravo! The music is perfect.

[@tanyaseaman67]

What a meticulous restoration! Such a peaceful video to watch.

[@joanneginever1890]

I've been trying to think of a name for my gorgeous Singer 99K circa 1949 hand crank. Nothing has done it justice. Now I know what I will name it. Franklin!! Perfect 😊

[@franklinhabit]

I am honored!

[@judithmatus3]

Franklin! That was just gorgeous and amazing. And to see it sew again! 💕

[@catherinecroberts]

Bravo! Your love for this restoration is beautifully told to us by your stunning short video. The visual slowness interwoven with soundtrack allowed me to go with you on this journey. It took me to being with my grandmother learning to sew on her Singer Treadle machine over sixty years ago. The music took my ‘squirrely mind’ and allowed it to just totally be in the moment. Thank you for this meditative and restorative time, Franklin. I didn’t even know how much I sorely needed this. I would wager that both donor and machine are grateful too.

[@lisabrightly]

Lovely! Those hand cranks are interesting because only one hand is free to work the fabric.

[@mercedesweidner7870]

I was besotted watching this video. You made it just perfect. Thank you

[@MINERVARIOSmin_crafts]

The most beautiful video I have ever Seen! ❤ wonderful restoration process. Lovely machine 😍 ❤ ♥ 💖 💙 💕

[@margotpriest1677]

Ten months later, Franklin. I don't know whether you check comments from old blogs, but I just bought a 28K hand crank. You started me on this---it hasn't been delivered yet and I don't know what will happen. I love the Paris blogs--enjoy the iconic April.

[@margotpriest1677]

Your filming is superb. So beautiful for a totally utilitarian object. I so regret giving away my mother's Featherweight 1930's machine. It was balky and I had no idea it could be repaired. Reminds me of the 1960's VW's (the Karmann Ghia was my love) that an ordinary person could tune and do basic repairs (thanks to the VW Repair for Idiots book). Now I can't afford a Featherweight on eBay or at a local antique store. Nor can I afford a vintage Karmann Ghia for that matter. Life is ironic.

[@janetayres184]

Such an intimate portrait of love........I found myself blushing! You belong together!

[@francessnider7437]

Wow, lovely video. So wonderful to see something so useful but neglected over time, brought back to life! Thank-you for all of that❤️.

[@michaelhattori3121]

It went to exactly the right person. And they sure don't make things like they used to. This was simply marvelous!

[@deb1120]

A wonderful restoration! So glad she ended up on your doorstep :)

[@carolineberk7525]

It was wonderful to watch it come back to life!

[@jennifercrandall5011]

That is glorious. I just opened up a case with a sewing machine someone donated to my class ( I teach a high school Fabrics and Clothing Construction class ). I opened it up and there was a reconditioned 1950 Singer in working order. Not as amazing as yours, but pretty darn cool.

[@cynrich1]

I have one of these, almost in the same condition, and just watching the intro part of this video got me all teary-eyed! lol

[@danielleboots7032]

What a beautiful machine. The person knew who best to leave this precious treasure with. Great job Franklin!

[@maryannschleer3430]

This was so touching and relaxing to watch, a labor of love and appreciation for the lovely old machine! Thank you Franklin!

[@patriciaharpell8967]

You are magic, restoring our wonder and delight as well as this Grand Dame of sewing machines.

[@blktauna]

I have one of probably the generation after this, with the modern bobbin. It only goes forward but it will do so though anything :) Its a great machine. I'm so happy to see this one come back to life.

[@rozemievandekerckhove2276]

what an amazing job you did ! and how wonderful machines were made back in the days - to last a life time.

[@heidisteward6419]

Huzzah! Lucky foundling machine to have found your home.

[@auraperez6156]

Wow the stitches are gorgeous and love the sound of it sewing

[@jenniferrichmond1009]

My goodness that machine was put into the right hands! What a lovely video, tribute really, to the appreciation of fine craftsmanship!

[@gavingoff1446]

The piano accompliment is mystically beautiful.

[@jenilittleton5136]

I have just watched your amazing video of you restoring this lovely Singer sewing machine! I actually had tears in my eyes, was so happy to see how lovingly you brought it back to life! My mother had a similar machine which she taught me how to sew back in the 60’s! Also, The music to this video was so fitting! 💙 Thank you for sharing! Love from London, U.K.

[@pettylove86]

You did a very nice job restoring this. When my husband's grandmother passed we took her old treadle machine and used it as a decorative table. Back then I hadn't sewn in years and I never looked at the machine. When I finally did it was so rusty I wanted to cry. At one point out of frustration trying to find a new spot for it in the house I blurted out "I don't know what to do with this anymore!" Big mistake. One Christmas without saying anything to me or my daughters he gave it to my sister who had always coveted it. It still bothers me, especially after I began sewing again; maybe it could be salvaged, I don't know. I know she would return it if we asked but it seems petty to do so.

[@ethnamoore5789]

Marvellous. So pleasing to both watch and listen too. Thank you for sharing

[@kristalburns3490]

Wow. Just wow. You have honored everything across the board about this machine.

[@marycase5473]

Your restoration process was a delight to witness, Franklin! So wonderful that you didn’t push this into a corner and forget about it!! Thank you for sharing!💜🤟🏻

[@carolsmith9201]

How wonderful to see this old lady come back to life! I loved seeing you wind the bobbin and thread the machine at the end. My mother had an old Singer treadle machine that I learned to sew on, and it threaded exactly like this. Thank you for sharing this!

[@alexlin9565]

What a lovely gift. I wonder if we will find out who the benefactor is. I am working on restoring a 201K and a gorgeous Pfaff K/11 treadle. Love you even more that you did this. You can steel your sweaters on that beauty.

[@TizianaTina]

All that beauty, from a little bit of love and care. Thank-you Franklin for sharing this with us.

[@deborahmorrison6]

It’s a “My Fair Lady” story. Beautiful music.