uesday, January 21, 2014, 0:42 AM
NEW SKILL: Centre offers a variety of sewing courses from embroidery to handbag, shoes and curtain-making
JOHOR BARU: GOING by Epal Handicraft Centre's tagline, "From zero to hero", anyone can learn to sew.
The unique establishment offers a variety of sewing packages where participants would be trained up to their preferred level.
It is run and managed by Mostwell Sdn Bhd, a Selangor-based company, for more than 20 years. It has 16 branches in Malaysia and two in Indonesia.
The Epal Handicraft Centre was opened about a year ago at Danga City Mall.
Nur Nadzirah Syahirah Mishiron, 22, who is one of the six trainers at the centre, opened here about a year ago, said there were various sewing courses to choose from.
They included embroidery as well as handbag, shoes, baju kurung and curtain-making.
"The fees are different for every course. However, because we also sellseven types of Janome sewing machines priced between RM2,499 and RM30,000, customers are entitled to a free sewing course for 12 months if they buy a sewing machine.
"Many participants of our programmes have bought a sewing machine from us so that they can enjoy the course for free.
"With the purchase, we will give our customers a box filled withillustrations and details of how to sew, which means they can also do it on their own if they do not have the time to attend our courses," said Nadzirah.
She said that most customers buy the basic model first before getting the more advanced ones.
"Many customers have more than one sewing machine at home. Some even buy the RM30,000 model, especially if they are seamstresses," she said, adding that some of participants are foreigners.
Janome is a Japanese brand which has facilities in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. From 1921 to 2008, 50 million sewing machines were produced in the facilities found in the three countries.
Housewife T. Sara, 44, has been attending the sewing course for seven months.
"I love going to the classes. My first project was a handbag. Now I am learning how to make a curtain for my house. It will cost so much more if I order custom-made curtains. Now that I can sew one myself, I can save money as well as get the satisfaction of seeing my own creation at home," she said.
Before attending the course, Sara said she did not know how to sew at all.
Beth John Kalitak, 24, another trainer here, said there are also courses for children as young as 6 years old.
"Sometimes, the mother will join the programme and bring her daughter along as we do have a package for mother and child.
"It is always good to start them young," she said.
"Every month, we teach different things. For instance, this month, we are teaching the participants the baju kurung in conjunction with the Hari Raya celebrations."
The outlet in Danga City Mall operates from 10am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 6pm on Sunday.
zee di temuramah oleh wartawan NSTP
Read more: Sew your way to success at Epal Handicraft - Johor - New Straits Timeshttp://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/sew-your-way-to-success-at-epal-handicraft-1.330303#ixzz2qxP3S9n9
salam sayang dari,
zee nadzirah.
