Chapter 34: Master Tailor

25 January 2024 is the 18th Anniversary of the passing of my dad. He passed away in early 2006 (Read here). He would be 96 if he is still alive today.

I recall that on 1 June 2022, my older brother shared an old photo of a grand reunion in year 1967 of the students of Boog Tsin Tailor Training College. My father was one of the attendees of that training college. 

At the peak of my father's tailoring career, he was recognized by many as a master tailor - a skill that becomes his legacy. Beside working as a tailor in Chu Chu Tailor, one of the well known tailoring shops in the old Kota Kinabalu; he was also approached by a variety of people to do custom tailoring in his spare time. His clients included people from all walks of lives - working adults, teachers, students and pastors among others. With his spare time also occupied in work, he literally worked non-stop practically seven days a week except Sunday mornings when he chose to go to Church. Every evening after dinner, he would move to his sewing machine to start his custom tailoring. Usually, he would only stop at around 10pm at night.

Even with such significant time he spent daily in tailoring work, the urge to get a couple of bucks more never disappeared from his mind. Together with my mom, they did rubber tapping in early morning before the sun rose just to earn more for the family (Read here).

For his private tailoring work, he took orders for pants, long-sleeved shirts, student uniforms, tuxedo suits and occasionally lady dresses. But I feel that he was most proud for being commissioned to do practically all the pulpit gowns worn by the pastors and reverends of the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia.

I believe my father had coached many aspiring tailors to improve their skill throughout his tailoring career. One "student" he coached was my eldest brother. My eldest brother stopped schooling after his primary education because of his illness.  To occupy his free time at home, my father decided to coach him to learn tailoring skill. Once he picked up the skill, he became my dad's assistant to do many of his private orders.

In those days before buttonholes sewing machines were invented, sewing of button and buttonholes were done manually. My mom was tasked to handle this aspect of the tailoring work before the products were delivered to the clients.

My dad was not a smoker, neither a drinker and never had the habit of gambling. He was a typical individual who dedicated his whole life to be a good husband, a good father and to raise his family. Like many traditional Chinese man, he was not demonstrative in his expression of love and affection toward his wife and children. But we knew, he showed his love through his hard work and dedication to his family.

Photo of the grand reunion in year 1967 of the attendees of Boog Tsin Tailoring Training College. My dad was at the back row standing second from the left.

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In April 2022, my younger brother posted photos of the Single brand sewing machine once used by my father. He also did an internet search and discovered that the old machine was manufactured in year 1945 based on the Serial Number on the machine. This machine originally ran on belt powered by foot pedal. Much later on, a motor was added when Single switched to manufacturing electricity powered machines. This switch helped to reduce the manual effort needed to power the machine! 

This machine currently is still in working condition and is kept in the house where my parents last stayed. This almost 80-year old machine is now a vintage item!

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Today, all the tailoring shops once active in the period of 1950's to 2000's are all gone. Chu Chu Tailor which was taken over by the founder's son had also ceased operation a very long time ago. Its premise in Kampung Air is now a 4D outlet. 

I still remember that in my primary and secondary school days, quite of a number of my schoolmates' fathers were tailors. Nowadays, I can't even name one male who is in this profession. My impression is that tailoring once dominated by men are now dominated by women. 

Premise of Chu Chu Tailor in Kampung Air is now a 4D outlet.