SIBU: Her vintage Singer hand-cranked sewing machine is older than her, but it has been a reliable companion to 68-year-old Chieng Siew Lie for the past 41 years.
“My mother was in her early 20s when my grandmother gave her the machine. It was a second-hand machine – my grandfather had bought it from the original owner.Chieng, who is unmarried, believes the sewing machine could be more than 80 years old. She has a spare machine of almost the same age.
“I opened this shop in 1982 and have been using this machine since. It has remained in good working condition. I have only replaced the hand-rest board three times. Other than that, I have no complaints about its condition,” she said.“I only do women’s clothing. I have customers asking me to make baju kurung and baju kebaya. Even Dayak women are my customers for their traditional ‘ngepan’ dress,” she said proudly.
“I charge RM65 for one baju kurung. I also have customers asking me to resize clothes they buy from boutiques,” she said. Tailoring has been her only profession. She recalled that when she was in Form Three, she did not sit for the government examination.She spent another four months in Singapore in 1981 for an advanced tailoring course.
“I was 26 when I opened this shop. My monthly rental is RM1,100. Business is not bad. I earn more during festive seasons,” said Chieng.An early bird, she opens her shop at 7.30am daily until 4pm. Her mother, despite her age, does not need a walking stick. She spends time in Chieng’s shop every day.Asked how long she intends to be in the business, she replied: “It depends on my eyesight. If my eyesight is still good, I might work till I am 80.
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