B Mirror Report: Rows of sewing machines are running day and night. The feet of garment workers move constantly, their eyes fixed on needle and thread to ensure perfect stitching lines. Fingers guide the fabric carefully under the needle. There is hardly any time to rest for the tailors. The buzzing sound inside tailoring shops signals that Eid is approaching.
This is the scene at tailoring houses and garment workshops across Jamalpur town. Having custom-made clothes for festivals is a long-standing Bengali tradition. As Eid draws near, people from all walks of life are crowding tailoring shops to get their preferred outfits made.
Fashion-conscious customers are visiting tailors early to prepare their Eid dresses in advance. To deliver outfits before Chand Raat, tailors are working around the clock.
A visit on Thursday afternoon to tailoring shops at Talukdar Market, Basak Market, Kader Mansion at Tamaltala, Rowshan Ara Market, Khan Mansion, Mitali Market, and Station Road shows busy counters taking orders, the clattering of sewing machines, measurements being taken with tape, and cutting masters slicing fabric precisely at cutting tables. Bundles of cut fabric are stacked neatly, while finished garments hang in rows. The rush is expected to continue until the last night of Ramadan.
Shefali Roy, cutting master at Jennifer Tailors in Basak Market, said orders are good this year, and they will stop taking orders after the 15th of Ramadan to ensure timely delivery. Khalilur Rahman, a senior tailor at Balaka Tailors in Talukdar Market, said they are working late into the night due to high demand, often sacrificing sleep to complete orders.
However, many tailors noted that such heavy workload comes mainly before Eid, while work remains limited during the rest of the year. Rising costs have not been matched by increased wages, and many customers now prefer ready-made garments.
Tasnim Rakib Monisha, a local resident, said she prefers tailored clothes over ready-made ones for better fitting and customized designs. She also mentioned that many tailors stop taking orders after the 10th of Ramadan.
While girls and women are ordering various new designs, men are showing greater interest in Punjabi outfits rather than shirts and pants for Eid. Rising prices have also affected tailoring charges. According to Syed Selim Zaman, owner of Balaka Tailors, stitching costs range from Tk 350–500 for pants, Tk 250 for salwar kameez, Tk 300 for double blouses, Tk 250 for cotton blouses, Tk 100 for petticoats, Tk 120–130 for maxi dresses, Tk 300–400 for gowns, and Tk 300–350 for burqas.
Female tailor Rina Begum said workload increases significantly during Eid, allowing them to earn extra income. Despite the pressure, the additional earnings bring joy to their families.
