Ekrem Usta: A 42-Year Master in Sewing Machine Repair

58-year-old Ekrem Usta, a sewing machine master, has been repairing sewing machines by traveling from city to city for 42 years. Erdem Usta, who lives in Samsun, turned the sewing machine craftsmanship he learned in a textile workshop at a young age into a profession years later. Learning how to repair sewing machines in the workshop he worked, Usta returned to his hometown Samsun.

Sewing Machine Repair: Service in the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia

Afterwards, the master started to repair sewing machines by traveling from city to city in the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia regions. Repairing machines of sewing courses at Public Education Centers, curtain makers, trousseau makers, and tailors, Usta travels from Samsun to Kars every month by working on an appointment basis.

Future of the Profession: Electronic Sewing Machines and Apprentice Issue

Ekrem Usta, a traditional sewing machine master, also expressed that there are no apprentices in his profession, stating that electronic sewing machines have emerged today and young people’s interest is towards technology. He said they cannot find apprentices and that they are the last representatives of the profession. Saying ‘Hopefully this profession will continue after us,’ Usta added, ‘There are many of these machines on the market. Previously, our women, mothers, received these machines as gifts for trousseau. They put conditions when getting married and still keep these machines in immaculate condition.

Some use it as a souvenir that they inherited from their fathers or spouses and they have also turned it into a profession. They reach me from the phone number I previously gave to the tradesmen. I inform them of the specific day of the month when I will come to each city, district on an appointment basis. I repair the machines on that day. Our service operations start from Samsun. We go as far as Samsun, Ordu, Rize, Trabzon, Artvin, Ardahan, and Kars where we can reach.'”