UAE tailors stop taking orders weeks before Eid
‘No more orders’ is the message you have probably seen outside most tailoring shops throughout UAE. And the explanation isn’t complicated — Eid Al Fitr work has already started this year, and it’s even happening prior to Ramadan.
Since there are almost 50 days remaining till Eid, many shoppers feel it is enough time to stitch some festive wear..But for tailors, the calendar is very different. Women’s Eid dresses require time, the patience to sit long hours for work — and that’s why many of these shops have already stopped taking new orders.
“I noticed the difference between now and then,” said Naseem Ahmed, owner of Al Musabba Fine Tailoring in Rolla, Sharjah, about his regular customers: “Most of them know this and order with time.” “These outfits are not simple. Embroidery, fine detailing — all takes time. Some customers are seeking fabric manipulation, heavy embroidery and layers of different cloth in a single dress,” he said.
Even a simple Eid outfit with layers can require nearly a full day’s worth of stitching, he said. “Larger more complicated garments take three days or longer to build. Hand embroidery alone can take more than five days. A few designs are also accompanied by stonework, and for certain patterns, we make a mould before beginning to work on fabric.”
Similarly, in the Naif area of Dubai, Nawaz Khan of Diplomacy Tailors said that “many people still don’t realize how much effort goes into ladieswear.” “It takes a lot of time to do the pattern making itself. Then comes the cutting, fitting, embroidery and finishing. “That’s why we cannot accept last-minute Eid orders,” added Khan.
Tailors err on the side of closing bookings, not rushing work, he added. “If we speed, the quality is bad. It’s better to say no up front than let customers down later.”
Khan also added that this year they had made an effort in advance to handle the Eid rush. Aware of the time it takes for women’s outfits to come together, they let regular clients know well in advance so there was no last-minute rush.
"We sent a message to all our regular clientele for them to place their Eid orders before January 15. “Most of them get the work it takes and like to book early so there is time for proper fitting, embroidery and finish,” he said.
The early surge is also apparent at abaya shops. Eid abayas are even being ordered well in advance of Ramadan now, says Syed Ali, a master cutter at the Abaya Mall in Mirdif. “For everyday, abayas are plain. “But for Eid, women want designer abayas with embroidery, layers and something special.”
Eid abayas tend to include handwork, stonework and multiple layers of material, none of which can be done hastily, he said. “That is also why many abaya shops stop taking Eid orders early,” he added.
Sayf Ali also said early Eid abaya demand meant giving the extra to long-time customers. His team didn’t wait for them to come in the shop; they went out personally and collected orders.
Together, we visited the homes of our usual clients, who are also very busy people, and took their Eid orders. Tailored abayas do take time, particularly if the work involves embroidery and tortuous layering of fabric. Our clients trust us, and they don’t want people to rush into things.”
Tailors also cite other explanations for closing orders earlier. Workers are unskilled, while working hours have been shortened during Ramadan and demand is high in the festive season. With orders piling up and time running out, lots of shops will close their books early.
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