
Years later, the Singer sewing machine became one of the symbols of the 1940–1941 deportations. Out of almost nothing, a skilful seamstress could use it to create miracles, which she might exchange for bread, medicine or warm clothing. Sometimes, however, bad luck or pure chance rendered the machine useless. Ewa Sitarska recalled: “Those who took us urged mum to take the sewing machine, saying it would be useful to her and that she could live off it. (…) 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”.