Barbara turns a new page in dress making

Ruwini Jayawardana

Those days there were no ready-made garments available. So we had to do all our dressmaking by ourselves, says Babara Wijesinghe a woman who is well versed in the art of dress making.

"My mother was an excellent seamstress and instructed me. I am a follower of her guidelines," she gleams as she reminiscences her sweet battle with the needle and thread. Her mother's advice and guidance drove her to the top of the art and today she is fortunate to guide anybody interested in dressmaking in both English and Sinhala through her books.

In response to a number of requests, the "Check Block Method of Dressmaking", a book compiled by Barbara Wijesinghe, was translated into Sinhala under the title "Kotu Patharom Kramaya". The book launch was held at the Parish Hall of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Colombo on December 7.

Managing director/C.E.O. Rizvi Zaheed, of Hayleys Consumer Products Limited, was the chief guest. Other special invitees included Fr. Perry Brohier and Fr. Ponniah. The printing of the translation has been sponsored by Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd.

Barbara soon realised that sewing and learning to sew are two different activities. She had altered her mother's method, which needed eight measurements for a basic block, and had come up with a method that requires only two measurements for each of the basic blocks for the skirt, blouse sleeve, saree jacket, bracut and even the baby shirt. Through the "Check Block Method of Dressmaking", published in 2004, Barbara aims to share her discovery of an easy way of making fine garments with other women.

One of the special moments of the occasion was the surprise that Barbara's daughters, Tamara, Tania, and Tashia, had in store for their mother. She was presented with a cake made by them and the cake was cut and served as an additional event in the programme.

The Sinhala version of "Check Block Method of Dressmaking" was translated by one of Barbara's own students, Naranjanee Jayasekara. It includes instructions which are simple and clearly stated with diagrams to guide its readers. "Kotu Patharom Kramaya" is presented in such a manner that even beginners will grasp the form without difficulty.

"Barbara is a very inspiring teacher who shows patience while guiding her students towards this new technique", Naranjanee Jayasekara commented.

She said the check block method permits seamstresses to design various styles of blouses, shift dress and A-line dress, various styles of sleeves, necklines, collars and saree jackets easily.

Paramparaven: Old industry revitalised to empower tsunami affected women

BEERALU: 'Paramparaven', an exhibition and sale of exquisite hand-crafted artistry by tsunami-affected women entrepreneurs from Mirissa, took place amidst a great deal of excitement and anticipation end of November at the Grand Ballroom of the Galle Face Hotel. The event was organised by HSBC and South Asia Partnership Sri Lanka (SAPSRI).

The chief guests were First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Managing Director, ODEL (Private) Limited Otara Gunawardene, Group Director, MAS Holdings Dian Gomes, and his wife, Dehara Gomes.

The exhibition was unusual in that it opened the eyes of visitors to different dimensions of beeralu lace and made for a platform to give a fresh perspective of its artistry. As one visitor commented, "Modern designs blended with traditional heritage to compete with the modern world and its market."

Firstly, there was coloured beeralu lace - a completely new departure from the traditional and elegant shades of white, ivory and beige. Moreover, the designs, too, were innovative and eye-catching.

The vibrant shades of beeralu adorned a variety of items, including household linen such as delicate tablecloths, table runners, serviettes and tablemats, exquisite bed sheets and pillowcases, gorgeous bed spreads; clothes such as pretty blouses, smart shirts, ethnic kurtas and sarongs and even a stunning collection of saris; and accessories like stylish shoes and slippers and chic handbags and purses.

The fashion shows each evening displayed the wide range of beeralu products on offer while the masked dancers added character and flavour to the event.

In addition to beeralu products, the exhibition also showcased products by other, award-winning craftsmen and women. These will include skilfully sculpted clay items, finely crafted silver work, vivid lacquer work and beautifully grained wooden items as well as item made of paduru (coconut fibre) and traditional masks.

The exhibition was a culmination of a year's effort by the organisers to uplift the tsunami-affected beeralu lace-makers of Mirissa, in the South of Sri Lanka, thus making it a celebration of their triumph against the odds. Even more, its objective was to revitalise the beeralu lace industry and transform the way in which the industry was regarded, thereby generating business for the aspiring women entrepreneurs.

"The success of the exhibition and the entire project, as whole, was in that it raised the income levels of 200 beeralu lace makers from Mirissa as well as 400 indirect beneficiaries. It has also shown people the different ways in which beeralu can be used. Even more importantly, it has changed the attitude and outlook of the lace makers, who were initially quite reluctant to try these innovative colours and designs!

The positive response to the exhibition has now convinced them otherwise, Manager Public Affairs, HSBC Shiroma D. Jayawickrama said.