Our Sewing Project aims to empower and equip women with the knowledge and skills they need to start their own seamstress businesses, with an emphasis on quality, creativity, and a desire to serve the community through training others in what they have learned.
The Sewing Project was established in 2023 as part of the Noor Women’s Centre, and facilitates courses on sewing basics for small groups of women. During the course, participants each have their own sewing machine to practice on and learn all the skills they need to complete various outfits and styles. Our small class sizes and hands-on approach mean that women who may not otherwise have the opportunity can learn how to sew and put it into practice in their own lives immediately.
By the time women finish the course, they have made three or four outfits on their own, and are leaving with the skills to do that at home. But, more importantly, they leave with an increased self-confidence and self-sufficiency, and are pushed to use their creativity as they design and sew each item.
After finishing the course, women can reduce costs in their homes by sewing for their own family members, or begin taking orders from friends and neighbors.
Hear from our participants
Rozia the Tailor: Growing in skills, growing in business
When Rozia and her family of 7 arrived in Tajikistan – just one month before the previous government of Afghanistan fell – she wasn’t sure how they would make ends meet. While it was good to feel safe, there were still plenty of challenges they had to face. “We didn’t have a place to stay…