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A wonderful sewing machine belonging to the Sitarski Family

3/12/2023

The Singer sewing machine
The Singer sewing machine. The Sybir Memorial Museum Collection

The Singer sewing machine became, years later, one of the symbols of the 1940-1941 deportations. A skilful seamstress could use it to create miracles out of almost nothing, with which she was able to obtain bread, medicine or warm clothing. Sometimes, however, bad luck or blind luck rendered the machine useless. Ewa Sitarska recalled: “Those who took us urged mum to take the sewing machine, that it would be useful to her, that she would live off the machine. (…) The machine was taken, but very quickly something happened to it. I don’t remember if a component was missing or if the needle broke…. The machine was immobilised”.

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