My sewing machine has been in my keeping for about 25 years. I bought it second-hand to replace the one I left in New York. It's one of the last of the Adler home sewing machines, which dates it no later than 1961. It's nearly as old as I am if it's not just my age.

Its body is painted steel. According to my bathroom scale it weighs 35 pounds.

And it's working fine, thank you. As am I. Sewing is, I think, something like riding a bicycle. Without the sweat.