Women are turning old fabrics into economic gain

Women participating in the sewing course organized by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality are turning old fabrics into economic gain using the ‘patchwork technique’. Women receiving training at the Yenice Yaşar Bayboğan Women and Children Workshop take a half-hour break to read a book every day.

At the Yenice Yaşar Bayboğan Women and Children Workshop, where education is provided in many fields for both children and women with a versatile educational approach, women attending the course learn sewing techniques. Thanks to the course, women from Yenice not only earn economic profit with the products they produce, but also socialize and discover their talents.

Women creating products such as blankets, bags, and quilts with the patchwork technique in the course provided under the Women and Family Services Department also use needle lace technique. In the course where old fabrics are utilized, women also take a half-hour break to read a book every day.

‘They utilize the fabrics they have’
Fatma Kuru, the responsible person of Yenice Yaşar Bayboğan Women and Children Workshop, stated that they teach many techniques to women at the same time, emphasizing the importance of the patchwork technique. She said, ‘Currently, we are focusing on the patchwork course. Our students are doing handicrafts, but the most important thing here is patchwork. They utilize the fabrics they have, the old ones, the leftovers. Nothing goes to waste. They can produce a lot from even a small piece of fabric.’ Kuru mentioned that the course started in September last year and they are currently providing education to 40 students. She also mentioned that they give participation certificates to the students who complete the course, adding that those who want to attend the course just need to apply to Yenice Yaşar Bayboğan Workshop.

‘There are even those preparing dowry for their grandchildren’
Fulya Karacan, whose daughter attends the nursery at Yenice Yaşar Bayboğan Women and Children Workshop, and whose two sons receive education at the Education and Training Support Course Center, said that the center is a great opportunity for families. Karacan stated that she contributes to the family economy with what she has learned in the course, saying, ‘Before the course, I was only dealing with housework. Now we spend quality time here. There are even those among us who prepare dowries for their children and grandchildren. We recycle unused items at home and put them up for sale. We hold exhibitions, socialize. This place is not just a course for us, it feels like a therapy center.’

‘I can’t bring myself to sell what I make’
One of the students, Hürriyet Ekin, mentioned that there is a warm and beautiful community of friends at the course. Ekin expressed that they support each other, saying, ‘No one can make me leave the house in this heat, but I rush here. We did great work here. For example, I sew very nice bags and wallets. I can’t bring myself to sell what I make. To be honest; they become priceless in my eyes. Thanks to the opportunity provided by the Metropolitan Municipality, I discovered many talents that I was unaware of.’ Burcu Öztürk, who has been attending the course for a year, stated that she makes children’s quilts, blankets, and learns new things thanks to the course.