She turned her kids’ old clothes into keepsakes – now it’s a thriving home business

Siti Nur’ain Awari, a 37-year-old stay-at-home mother of four, found an innovative way to preserve her children's cherished clothing items – by transforming them into keepsakes. The idea began when her cousin requested her to sew a quilt using her daughter's preloved baby clothes. After researching and practicing, Siti began creating bespoke quilts and stuffed animals from her children's old garments, offering her services for other families as well.

Initially, she started with stuffed bears made from her eldest son's clothes. The first quilt was a success, and she posted pictures on Instagram, which attracted interest from friends. Soon, she had received her first order of baby quilts. After that, she expanded her repertoire to include stuffed bears featuring various animals, such as rabbits, lions, horses, and rhinoceroses. These creations became so popular that her own children even requested their own.

One particularly emotional project involved making a quilt from the clothes of a child who was ill, with the quilt being sent to the child's grandmother in the United Kingdom. Another notable request was a quilt made from the clothes of 22 preschoolers for a beloved teacher who was unwell. Siti emphasized the emotional connection between the clothes and the children, noting that "clothes carry not just memories, but emotions."

Despite the sentimental value of her work, Siti faced challenges, including cutting up her own children's clothes. She worked around her family's schedule, often sewing during the night when her children were asleep. Her home business now earns her nearly as much as her previous administrative job, and she caps her monthly workload at 25 orders to balance her responsibilities as a mother.