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Ms. Chen

 

Ms. Chen use to make clothes. Like many elders, she had to support the family when in junior high. The days were very tough. When there were many orders, they had to keep working without a rest. She went to work in garment factory for money. But now she is learning patchwork for fun. She likes the fulfillment of making a complete work, especially rose bags. It brings her a lot of fun. That’s why she is keeping doing so. She also teachers others.
I think it must be more interesting and tiresome to do patchwork than to make clothes. After all, making clothes is mostly about money, and you can earn only a little even if your hands get sore. Patchwork, however, is about fun. You can design it as you wish. You will feel fulfilled when it is finished. You can bring your finished works home or give them to others. But if Ms. Chen hadn’t been working at the garment factory to earn money, she might not be able to enjoy herself so much now. This is the so-called “sweetness comes after bitterness”.

 

Interview with Ms. Chen
Below is the interview:

 

Q1.Have you ever worked in the clothing industry?
A1.Yes!
Q2.What made you want to learn patchwork?
A2.One has to do something to stay energetic.
Q3.What have you gained from learning patchwork?
A3.Fulfillment.
Q4.Patchwork is fun to learn, but isn’t difficult?
A4.No.
Q5.How long have you been learning?
A5. About 1 year.
Q6.If you were young, will you choose this as your job?
A6.Probably!
Q7.What have you gained?
A7. I made clothes to make money. But I learn patchwork for fun.
Q8.When did you start your apprenticeship?
A8.13 years old, when I left primary school.
Q9.Have you ever worked in a family workshop?
A9.Yes!
Q10.How long did you work everyday?
A10.over 10 hours when it was busy.
Q11.Did you have days off in holidays?
A11.If it was busy, no. If it was not busy, yes.
Q12. Which part of clothes did you make?
A12.I made all parts of clothes.
Q13. Why did choose this profession in the first place?
A13. Because I had to make money.
Q14.Where did you work?
A14. I’ve changed many places but last one was in Songshan.
Q15.How much did you earn monthly?
A15.About 10,000~20,000 NTD.

Q16.Which part of clothes do you think is the most difficult to make?
A16.The inner collar.
Q17.What kind of clothes did you make?
A17.Sportswear.
Q18.How many clothes or trousers did you make everyday?
A18.Dozens of each.
Q19.Have you ever been injured at work?
A19.Yes. I was pricked by the needle.
Q20. Those who are making clothes are all old people, right?
A20.Right!