For Kepong-born Camie Choo Chai Ha, it dawned on her now that following her aunt to a sewing factory in Jalan Chan Sow Lin at the tender age of 12 many years ago has paid good dividends: she’s now adept at sewing many kinds of clothes and items. These days Camie has also become a sewing teacher to anyone willing to learn from her.
“I got used to the hum of the sewing machines in the factory. They didn’t bore me at all. Today, I can withstand whatever sounds that come from these machines that have become a source of additional income for me and a tool to teach students,” she says.
After leaving school decades ago, she joined a legal firm and has since been in many companies doing administrative work.
Now still an energetic and creative lady way past the official retirement age, Camie is most happy doing charity work in orphanages and old folks’ homes.
For Camie, a vice president of the Fuzi Magic Charity Movement, her forte or strong point is sewing. And that has turned out to be most rewarding in teaching inmates of orphanages, displaced migrants and eager students to sew.
“You’d be surprised that even boys are so eager to learn sewing because it’s a skill that they can use to mend their torn clothes or fix missing buttons in times of emergency,” says Camie.
Besides teaching, Camie also uses her sewing skills to engage in an activity she refers to as “hobbycraft” or crafting items out as a hobby.
“I participate in shows and exhibitions with some charity organisations. There I get to impart my knowledge in making these items. Sometimes I also sell what I produce,” she says.
These days, Camie has put behind sewing clothes or curtains. It’s now bags, handphone covers and hats in fancy designs and attractive colours under her brand:LIFESEWGOOD
“Either I sell them at shopping malls or in places where my charity organisers go to or I sell them online,” she says. ”Whenever I am free after dinner, I’ll make one or two items before I go to sleep.”
But her hobbycraft items are so much in demand these days that Camie sometimes cannot cope with the orders.
“I must say it’s a happy problem but I will try to fulfil my customers orders on time,” says Camie.
For her, any cloth material suits her nicely. Either she buys them from shops or gets loads of free stuff from friends.
“Getting materials is not a problem. It’s having enough time to turn them into attractive items,” she adds.
Contact Camie at 0122300861 if you want to order, learn sewing or to get her help to conduct sewing classes for your organisation.
WE