In the complex and demanding world of tailoring, where skilled hands transform fabric into fashion, the behind-the-scenes reality often goes unnoticed.

Driven by her passion for the craft Zainab spends countless hours crafting garments.

This article explores her story in the line of the tailoring profession, revealing the significant challenges faced and the unwavering dedication brought to the work.

For Zainab, her day begins early. “I typically resume work by 7:30 and close by 6:30 PM. When I resume, I immediately start with whatever work that is being assigned to me by my boss from the previous day. I cut, sew, and when I get tired, I can always take a break to eat.”

These long hours are a testament to the dedication and hard work that Zainab put into her craft, often working 11 hours a day, Monday to Friday.

The workload intensifies during peak periods like festive seasons and wedding seasons.

“The workload and demand are very crazy! On normal days, I get to make 2-5 clothes, depending on the complexity. But during festive periods, we have to stretch more by sacrificing lunch and snack breaks, doing more whether you like it or not.”

The pressure to meet increasing demands during these periods is immense, pushing tailors to their limits.

Despite the strenuous effort, the earnings do not always reflect the hard work.

“My boss pays me per outfit I make. For a simple outfit, she pays me 500 Naira, and for more complex ones, she pays me 1500 Naira and above.”

This piece-rate payment system can make it challenging to achieve financial stability, especially when considering the costs involved.

The rising costs of materials and equipment further strain profit margins.

“The high cost of materials has affected profit margins. Before, lining cost about 160 Naira, but now it is 600 for the lowest quality and about 1,000 Naira for the good lining. Imagine we have to line cloth with 4 yards of lining, that’s about 2,400 for cheap lining and 4,000 for original lining. This cost is without workmanship money, wool, apprenticeship money, wear and tear in the shop.”

These increased expenses make it difficult for tailors to maintain profitability.

Balancing work with personal or family time is a constant challenge Zainab expressed that she faces.

She said; “Tailoring is a very demanding job when it comes to the time you spend at work. You can choose to work Saturday or Sunday if you want, which I mostly opt for on days I need money.”

Managing stress during high-demand periods requires patience.

“Painkillers are the number one way to help myself during stressful periods because there is work you must do to survive or you quit. We don’t even get to take breaks to see our family because of the workload, but most times, after the whole regular holidays, we take our own holidays, which doesn’t really do a thing because everybody that must have come home for the holiday would have returned to their various states.”

Despite the challenges, zainab remains passionate about her profession.

“I love tailoring, but the cost of setting up my own shop is why I still work as an apprentice.”

The fulfillment derived from creating beautiful garments keeps the passion alive, even in the face of adversity.

“Seeing the work I do is actually very fulfilling because it is a very beautiful thing to see.” She added.

Speaking about changing her career, Zainab expressed she would love to still choose the same path, if she could afford to have her own space.

“If given a chance and I can have my own studio and my own staff, I would choose tailoring over and over again because that is a slightly easier path but the same career.”

The journey of this Zainab highlights the struggles faced by many in the tailoring industry.

Her commitment, despite the physical challenges, highlights the importance of greater appreciation for those who create the garments we wear.

By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that the valuable contributions of tailors are recognized and rewarded.