I bought my first Durkopp Adler machine in 2014. I’d had a few secondhand machines by other manufacturers but the Adler was the go-to for everyone I’d spoken to; so when it came to replacing a machine this was my first choice at the time…and it didn’t let my expectations down. It’s a machine that I spend most of my time at in the workshop.
From Frustration to Flow
Before the the Adler I owned many other sewing machines. Using them was like driving your first well-used car that’s passed through several hands: it was exciting at first but each one had its own peculiarities, needing a little tweaking here or requiring a timely nudge there. Learning their nuances was a process of trial and error and while it was exciting at first, it often became frustrating.
From the first threading of the machine, through the puzzling plethora of tensioners and arms, it felt like driving a precision-engineered vehicle. There’s a sense of flow that comes with using a machine like this, where everything just works as it should. It’s not about brute force or flashy features; it’s about reliability and consistency. And when you’re in the middle of a project, that’s exactly what you need.
The Heart of the Workshop
Much of what we do in the workshop is deeply intuitive. There’s a rhythm to the work, a connection between the tools, the materials, and the craftsman. You can hear it in the hum of a well-oiled machine or the hiss of a razorsharp blade parting the fibres of the leather.
More than a Machine
There’s a sixth sense that comes from us working with materials, tools and machines. They become an extension of our hands . The Adler with its un-assuming industrial colours and build slips into this framework. Without any pomp it effortlessly purrs through the trickiest of leathers. It is always there, solid and reliable, it may actually be my best friend! We make great things together. What more could you want!
