In her recent interview with Turmush, Aizada shared that she recycles fabric remnants that are usually thrown away or burned in sewing workshops. Over the past year, a group of women, including her, has started using these scraps to create useful items.
Aizada has 15 years of sewing experience. Last year, she joined a project focused on recycling textile waste, marking a new stage in her career. Throughout the year, the team worked on creating backpacks from leftover materials. “At first, we didn’t think about who our customers would be. We were just passionate about the process. With the help of acquaintances, we made arrangements with sewing workshops in the market in Bishkek, and they began sending us textile scraps. At first glance, sewing a backpack or bag from a pattern seemed simple, but in practice, difficulties arose. We didn’t give up. By being creative, we learned to combine different fabrics. For example, remnants of curtains and coat fabrics went well together. Although initially one bag could require 5-6 alterations, we gradually mastered the necessary sewing skills,” she shares.
Gallery: Aizada Ilyasova, a 32-year-old resident of Jalal-Abad, is engaged in sewing.
Many sewing workshops typically throw away or burn fabric remnants. Initially, some masters were wary of requests to hand over scraps. “Some said, ‘We can’t give away our expensive fabrics; it’s better to burn them.’ There were also those who feared we might steal their ideas. But soon, we found those who were happy that the waste would be used rather than ending up in a landfill. Now many workshops we work with collect scraps for us, and we pick them up. Recycling is always better than burning or throwing away,” says Aizada.
Aizada’s team also actively participates in exhibitions where they have the opportunity to sell their products. The bags they make cost up to 2000 soms. Over the year, they focused on backpacks and bags, and now they have started sewing skirts.
In Aizada’s opinion, the key to success lies in the ability to creatively approach the use of textile waste.
