She runs a business called Elly’s, offering a range of meticulously sewn products such as purses, brooches, bags for handphones, key chains, soft toys, and more.
While she primarily uses batik from Terengganu to create her products, she also works with cotton, songket and brocade. Each item is beautiful, reflecting her attention to detail and creativity.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, she shared that her love for sewing began at a young age.
“My role models were my late mother and aunt, who were both tailors. I would sit in front of them at the sewing machine, helping pull the fabric as they worked,” the 56-year-old, better known as Elly, recalled with a smile.
Her love for sewing remained as she grew older, and after getting married, she enrolled in classes to hone her skills. While she’s fortunate to have turned her interest in sewing into a business, her entrepreneurial journey wasn’t always smooth.
“I previously sold headscarves. But after the pandemic, more people started selling them online at lower prices. This affected my business badly.”
Fortunately, she had also been selling covers for cushions, washing machines and refrigerators, although these weren’t her primary products. She decided to pivot to these items anyway, and it proved a wise move. She hasn’t looked back since.
Elly’s big break came when a hotel in Port Dickson wanted to sell her creations in their gift shop.
“They requested that I make products from batik. It sparked my interest in the fabric, because I feel batik reflects the Malaysian identity,” she recalled, adding that she started with purses, bags for handphones and brooches.
From there, her business gained momentum, and she gradually expanded her range of products. Her business began to thrive further after she joined the Khadijah Artisans Mentoring Program (KAMP).
A collaboration between Khadijah International Waqf (L) Foundation and Persatuan Pembangunan Artisans (PPA), the programme offers guidance and assistance to craftswomen from low-income backgrounds by helping them succeed in business and expand the distribution channels for their products.
“It’s a good programme because they guide us on how to package and price our products. These are valuable insights for entrepreneurs.”
Before joining the programme, Elly shared that although she received some online orders from outside her hometown of Negeri Sembilan, her products were never physically available elsewhere.
Now, she’s delighted that some of her handicrafts are sold at PPA’s outlets in Berjaya Times Square and Tokyo Street, Pavilion KL.
She is also thankful for the chance to help others through her business – she has three women who help her with sewing, enabling them to earn an income from home. One is a single mother with young children, another cares for her elderly parents, and the third requires additional financial support.
“A few years ago, one of them texted me the night before Hari Raya, thanking me because with the income she earned, she was able to buy new clothes for her children and ensure they had food.
“I was happy to hear that, but it also made me sad. While we may think we’re only doing a little, for them, it means so much,” she said, adding that she also conducts classes to teach women sewing and handicraft skills.
“It’s great to have a hobby that can also be a source of income. If you enjoy sewing, it’s a good business to pursue as it requires low capital to start. I consider myself fortunate to have turned my love for sewing into a business.”
Follow Elly’s on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
To purchase, head over to Shopee or visit:
Kiosk 2, Medan Selera Penghulu Cantik
Jalan Penghulu Cantik
70100 Seremban
Negeri Sembilan
Ramadan opening hours: 9am-3.30pm (Monday to Saturday; Sunday by appointment only)
Normal opening hours: 9am-5pm (Monday to Saturday; Sunday by appointment only)
Contact: 016-663 2068
Read more about the Khadijah Artisans Mentoring Program and its artisans here.