“When I was younger, I made clothes with the machine… children’s clothes like pajamas, school uniforms…but not anymore now because of my eyesight.”

I’ve stayed in Whampoa for over 20 years. I was married on the 8th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar. The sewing machine was my marriage dowry. There was also a charcoal iron and some iron basins. It used to be operated by a foot pedal but it took up too much space and I got it converted to a hand-operated machine. This took place a long time ago. The base is very heavy. When I was younger, I made clothes with the machine… children’s clothes like pajamas, school uniforms…but not anymore now because of my eyesight. I still use the sewing machine to mend clothes, make alterations or make pillowcases. They are easier and not as complex. I also used to make curtains before Chinese New Year. I kept a blouse which I made with the machine as a memento. I put in a lot of work to make this blouse. It took me a few weeks to make. I drew the paper pattern on the floor of my former flat in Redhill. I can still wear it! I have others but gave them away to relatives going back to China. Not many people wear this kind of clothes anyway.