A hand crank! I'm impressed! I don't know how people used those well. I really, really need both hands---even bought a knee lift for the presser foot of my current machine.
When I was growing up, if I sewed anything it was mostly by hand because the only machine my mom had was her mil's treadle and I didn't understand how to pedal it. Anytime I tried I just stitched forwards and backwards every inch or so, constantly. My seams were continual rat's nests on the underside. Mostly I remember hand sewing Barbie clothes.
The machine I really learned on was one I bought myself after I was married, and I still have that one. It's one of those awesome Kenmores in the 158. series, an all metal workhorse.