Ready-made clothing is expanding, sewing skills remain relevant

MIRI, Oct 27: Although ready-made clothing is becoming more readily available in the marketplace, sewing skills remain relevant in meeting customer needs that prioritize clothing according to individual size and taste, as well as potentially being a source of income as well as entrepreneurial opportunities.

For the local seamstress, Nasiah Dalan, a deep interest in fashion has been the main motivator for continuing to be involved in the field since starting his business in 1995.

Starting with receiving bookings from home, he later expanded his business by opening a physical store in the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Miri's Mead of Commerce in 2018.

According to Nasiah, the field of sewing is not just a job for earning income, but rather a skill that requires creativity, diligence, patience and commitment in producing clothing that has its own value.

"I ventured into the field of sewing because I had a deep interest in fashion, clothing and creating something with its own value.

"For me, stitching is not just a job, but a skill that requires creativity, diligence, patience and commitment", he said when he met TVS here recently.

Despite more than three decades of experience, Nasiah did not use experience as an excuse to stop learning new skills.

Instead, he continued to increase his knowledge through participation in courses related to manufacturing technology, business management and digital marketing to ensure that his business is able to adapt to current changes.

He said that in addition to producing quality clothing, trust and customer satisfaction were among the key factors that allowed his business to survive today.

"For me, customer satisfaction is not just when clothes are ready, but when customers feel confident, comfortable, and happy wearing them.

"The confidence that was gained helped the business survive to this day", he said.

However, Nasiah acknowledged that the sewing business also faced challenges, including rising raw material prices, increased operating costs and uncertain bookings.

In this regard, he saw the support of relevant agencies need to be strengthened not only through capital assistance but also through ongoing training, guidance and post-course monitoring to help small entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

He believes that such an approach is essential to ensure that the knowledge and skills acquired can be translated into business opportunities as well as wider market access.

"Guidance and follow-up after the course is essential so that assistance provided not only includes capital but also training, guidance and marketing opportunities", he explained.

In the meantime, Nasiah encourages younger generations not to underestimate skills such as sewing because they have economic value and potential for development as a career.

He says that mastery of a skill not only opens up income opportunities, but also enables one to build one's own business with knowledge, discipline and sincerity.

"Don't underestimate a skill just because it looks ordinary. Stitching, for example, requires creativity, discipline and confidence as well as having economic value.

"Start with the knowledge and skills you have, try hard and don't give up", he said.

For Nasiah, as long as there is interest, earnestness and willingness to continue learning, sewing skills will remain valuable despite changing fashion trends and societal needs.

From a strip of cloth to clothing that has its own value, the art of sewing is not only a source of livelihood but also a skill that should be preserved and passed on to future generations. - TVS