The Union of Jewish Women (UJW) Empowerment Sewing School bid farewell the students who completed the school’s four-and-a-half-month sewing course on June 18.

Among the graduates was Elsie Dijana (72), who put together a beautiful Pedi outfit to honour the day’s theme: Heritage in style. For Dijana, the experience was much more than learning how to use a sewing machine; the journey brought her back to herself after months of wallowing in uncertainty.

Read more: UJW Sewing School graduation

After the death of her husband, Dijana turned to self-isolation as a way to cope with grief. Spending a lot of time at home alone resulted in her battling with her thoughts, which she eventually realised was becoming unhealthy. Then, one day, a former colleague encouraged her to join the sewing school, just to pass time during the day.

She explained that her decision brought a sense of relief to her family. “My children were very happy about my decision.”

What started as a way to keep busy soon became a passion, as Dijana found herself becoming invested in the sewing, carefully planning her designs, noticing her mistakes, and improving significantly. “The way I enjoy sewing, I would find myself waking up in the middle of the night thinking about how I could have done a certain design better.”

Now that she has acquired the skills, she hopes to use them to generate an income by offering services such as alterations and making custom items. “I really love bedding, so I want to make fitted sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers.”

Also read: UJW honours Madiba with cupcakes

Dijana excitedly mentioned that she is planning a special surprise for her grandchildren, as they remained interested in her progress throughout the course. “They kept asking me, ‘Magriza, what did you make today?’. They always wanted me to send pictures.”

The journey was not always easy. There was a point where she struggled with putting together her heritage outfit. Through the struggle their teacher remained patient, assisting where she could. Ultimately, Dijana got what she wanted. With support and encouragement from her family, teacher, and fellow course mates, Dijana persevered and completed the course.

Today, instead of isolating herself, Dijana spends her time thinking about designs, fabric choices, and creative ways to use her sewing skills.

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