Lowokwaru (malangkota.g.id) – Doing work according to passion is indeed very enjoyable. With creativity and perseverance, residents of Jalan Cumi-Cumi Kelurahan Tunjungsekar, Lowokwaru District, Malang City pioneered a craft business. Sundari, the woman who owns the business labeled Zigmarie Homeset & Fashion has started her business almost ten years ago.
With creativity, Zigmarie can transform leftover fabric (percang) into an attractive handicraft product. Sundari said that initially she only focused on producing various home sets such as bed sheets, pillow cases, tablecloths, and the like. She said that the business she did did not always run smoothly. Her turnover dropped during the pandemic, but this is where Sundari was encouraged to explore other potentials that could be developed.
“Initially, I only focused on making home sets. But when Covid-19 hit, demand dropped. I tried a new one, this patchwork application. It sold well, and until now I continue to produce crafts like this. Home sets also have a lot of competitors. It seems like this doesn't exist in Malang yet," said the alumnus of SMK Negeri 3 Malang.
Of course, it takes imagination to make handmade products like Sundari does. Because she uses patchwork, Sundari must be observant in combining motifs and colors to create a beautiful combination. In addition, it takes patience to arrange the patchwork into a neat product. "This must be folded and we iron it one by one. So in a day, for a bag product with a patchwork combination, two can be finished," she said while showing a round bag product with a patchwork combination in the middle.
Patchwork application is one of the characteristics of Zigmarie Homeset and Fashion products. In fact, patchwork itself is chosen because it is considered to have a high selling value if it can be used creatively. Moreover, with patchwork material, it can even make the product seem limited, unique, and exclusive because there will be no two the same.
"It turns out that many people are interested in products with patchwork applications. I also often switch to selling knowledge through workshops or classes, especially for making crafts from patchwork waste," said Sundari.
Sundari also does not hesitate to share information and tutorials on patchwork and sewing crafts through her YouTube channel. Until now, Sundari's YouTube channel 'Zigmarie TUTORIAL HOMESET' has 127.000 subscribers and has succeeded in attracting many viewers with her tutorial videos. In fact, she managed to get the Silver Play Button from YouTube. By sharing stories and tutorials on utilizing patchwork, Sundari also invites the public to utilize leftover fabrics to help decompose unused fabric waste and turn it into something of artistic and economic value. (ari/yon)
