Our lovely Bernina sewing machine was inherited from Eric’s mother, and will soon be leaving with Eric.

Every household needs a sewing machine, and I’d find it difficult to manage without one. Today I found a new sewing machine. Or rather, an old one. Here’s my new old Husqvarna Automatic 21 A. Shiny and green!

According to one site, this particular model was produced from 1958 to 1961, so it is probably even older than the Bernina. For back-stitching, you press and hold a button on this one, whereas on the Bernina you push the stitch length lever to the opposite side, so you can use both hands while back-stitching. But the Husqvarna is a fancier model, featuring a whole bunch of decorative stitches.

I’m quite unlikely to use the decorative stitches much. All I want from my sewing machine in terms of features is straight stitches forwards and backwards, and zig-zag. Possibly, maybe, buttonholes.

What I really want is reliability and repairability. I want a stable, solid metal body, and an absolute minimum of plastic components. With care and regular maintenance, this one should keep going for decades yet.

Also it doesn’t hurt that this cost me only 800 SEK.