Being born without the five fingers on her left hand has never stopped Liza Mamat, 46, from building an independent life through tailoring – a trade that has sustained her family for more than two decades.
The mother-of-four said her interest in sewing began as a teenager after watching her elder sister Yati, 55, complete orders for women’s clothing, including the traditional baju kurung.
Inspired, Liza enrolled in a tailoring course at the Industrial Training and Rehabilitation Centre (PLPP) in Bangi, Selangor, in 2003 to hone her skills.
“Back then, I realised I needed a skill of my own to earn a living despite not having a high level of education.
“I chose sewing and worked hard to master it,” she told Bernama.
Liza who is from Kampung Tasek, Bukit Jawa in Kelantan, said the biggest challenge in the early years was adapting to sewing machines and equipment designed for people with a perfect pair of hands.
“One of the difficulties was using tools that required both hands, including handling sewing equipment and cutting fabric,” she said.
“But I never gave up. Through constant practice, I developed my own techniques and methods that made sewing easier.”
After completing the nine-month course, she began taking small orders from neighbours and friends before steadily building a loyal customer base.
Today, Liza produces a variety of garments, including baju kurung and baju melayu, while also offering alteration and repair services.
Each outfit takes about two hours to complete, with charges ranging from RM45 to RM100 depending on the design.
She is capable of fulfilling up to 60 orders a month.
“On average, I can complete about three outfits a day. Since I work from home, I have the flexibility to manage my time and sew at my own pace.”
Many of her customers have become regulars who return during festive season or special occasions.
Liza said customer satisfaction remained key to maintaining the trust she has built over the years.
The support of her family, particularly her husband, Mohd Kufri Omar, 47, who is also physically disabled, has been a constant source of strength throughout her journey.
“I have never viewed my disability as a barrier to success. Instead, I use it as motivation to prove my capabilities,” she said.
“If we focus only on our limitations, we will never move forward,” said Liza.
“I believe everyone has their own strengths and opportunities to succeed in their own way.”
