Munni Begum/Guwahati

Mushfika Hussain, a teacher living in one of the oldest Muslim quarters of Guwahati city, is not interested in biding her spare time listening to music, going for a walk, or scrolling through the screen of her cell phone. She picks up her needle and thread to weave intricate embroidery designs on fabric.

"I have loved doing handicrafts like embroidery since I was a child. As a teacher, I used to do some small embroidery at home in my spare time to overcome my fatigue. Once I visited a handicrafts exhibition where I saw beautiful embroidery designs on fabrics from Malaysia, Thailand, and other foreign countries, I fell in love with this art. I started with ribbon embroidery at home,” Mushfika Hussain told Awaz-The Voice Assam.

Mushfika says there is no major difference between ribbon embroidery and other embroidery. However, since ribbon embroidery is 3D embroidery it takes a lot of time and effort to do it.

“You cannot replicate a design by looking at it from the Internet; you will always need your skill and innovation. People like innovative and unique types of ribbon embroidery. I have not undergone any formal training to learn this embroidery. I learned to do ribbon embroidery by watching it on the internet and YouTube.”

She says, “Initially I started with easy designs using easy techniques.  I always use high-quality fabrics for ribbon embroidery.  I follow the techniques of the designs from the internet but never copy them. I always use my techniques and innovations.”

Mushfika has done ribbon embroidery with attractive designs on runners, tablecloths, bag cushion covers, sofa covers, dining mats, and photo frames. She has been using quality fabrics, yarn, and ribbons for ribbon embroidery.

"Ribbon embroidery is done entirely by hand. I have usually embroidered ribbons with various flower designs. Currently, I am embroidering a bird design. So far I have various types of runners, table cloths, bags, bags, mobile bags, cushion covers, sofa covers, dining mats, photo frames, etc. I have started embroidering ribbon using various interesting designs on grass bags,” she said.

Mushfika's bags, mobile bags, and runners are in high demand among consumers. Even though the demand for handmade products in Assam is low, people from different parts of the State including Guwahati have been buying Mushfika's products.

“The market for my products is usually extended through exhibitions, groups of friends, family, and relatives. I have been receiving many orders through my FaceBook page 'Musfika's Ribbon Art' and Instagram page 'musfika hussain05’. My products are also available at my boutique ‘Creative Hand’ situated in the Silpukhuri area in Guwahati. I am selling ribbon embroidery made table cloth Rs 800 to Rs 900, cushion cover Rs 400, 3piece set Rs 800- Rs700, a runner Rs 650, dining mat Rs 1600, sofa cover up to Rs 1600,” Mushfika said.

"If one has a hobby, one can convert it into an earning source. Nowadays people can earn from home. Many talented women in our society are wasting away their talents on one or the other excuses. All women do not have to go outside to earn money or do a job. They can stay home and earn by honing their skills,” Mushfika said.

Mushfika, who loves handicrafts, gardening, and cooking, started ribbon embroidery with very minimal capital and is earning Rs one to two lakh annually.

She said anyone can become self-sufficient by doing ribbon embroidery because the demand for this art is much higher in the international market than in Assam and India. In the current era of social media, people can earn money from home and become self-sufficient, she said.

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In 2022, Mushfika has been training 12 women in ribbon embroidery at the Tea Auction Center in Guwahati.