The tailor

Today I was back in the office so not much chance of going to look for any nice blips. Having been away for 2 weeks there was much paperwork to catch up on, and also many issues to deal with.

However, after work I took a stroll down the street and found my tailor still busy at work on his trusty pedal sewing machine. You can see the bags of stuff beside him - its full of different types of fabric and buttons! I love this guy - you take him a skirt and a piece of cloth and you ask him to copy it and hey presto - a few hours later you have an identical skirt!

The influx of cheap clothes from China has affected these tailors though and nowadays they only make school uniforms and the traditional Malawian wear. Its becoming tough for them to make a living. Most of our clothes here are found in the second hand clothes markets or shops - bales of second hand clothes come from South Africa. Often you can find really good brand new designer labels among them, that someone probably bought but didn't really need!

I was going to crop it but though it was good to see the place he works - its on a 'khonde' or a veranda of a shop which is where all the tailors work!

Anyway, here is todays blip!