Madam Abigail Gyamfiwaa Bonsu is a seamstress and the founder of ‘Jesus Saves Fashion Center’, a dressmaking outlet located at Peace Village, a suburb of Amasaman. She has been practicing dressmaking for close to 13 years. Abigail got her training from Nungua in Accra. She later moved to Dome-Pillar 2 to work for a while before finally settling at Peace Village. Aside from learning the trade from a certified master, Abigail also received training from the Ghana Tailors and Dressmakers Association which makes her a recognized professional at the national level. She noted that the quality of her sewing has helped her to maintain her clients all through her places of residence and even to expand her customer base outside of her current location.

Abigail is married with three kids. Currently, she has one apprentice who is out of work for personal reasons. About her starting and closing time, Abigail said she did not have a strict timetable by which she starts and closes work. She noted that work usually starts at 8: 00 am in the morning. However, she could stay up all night long to work because she does not want to disappoint her clients for any reason. In a day, Abigail could make a slit and “kaba” (top) and a dress. She goes through a routine of cutting fabric based on the measurement of a client, joining the pieces of fabric with office pins, ironing, and stitching. She repeatedly goes through this cycle until a garment is completely designed.

Felicia Offei is one of Abigail’s clients. According to Abigail, she has been a regular client for the past three years. “It was a dress that madam Abigail made for my sister that attracted me to her. The dress was nicely designed and it fitted her so much that it attracted a lot of compliments. So, I got my sister to take me to her seamstress to make a similar style and since then, I have remained her customer”, noted Felicia. Felicia confirmed that Abigail has never failed her in delivering her services, unlike her previous dressmakers who promise to complete a dress on a set date and do not keep to their word.

According to Abigail, she wants to debunk the negative notion most people hold about dressmaking that it is a vocation for people who are not smart at school. According to Abigail, the dressmaking profession requires a significant level of knowledge in English and mathematics among others. She said the measurement aspect of dressmaking involves a lot of calculations which if not done right, could mar the making of a garment. Abigail argued that learners of dressmaking must also be abreast of the terms and techniques used in the vocation. Also, she noted that dressmakers need to build their communication skills to interact with their clients better.

Abigail noted that patience is one of the key virtues that has aided her success in the profession. According to her, being patient with her customers regardless of the pressure has helped her to retain most of them as well as attract new ones. “Some customers may see someone wearing a particular style and want to wear the same thing. But, most of them may not have enough knowledge about body shapes and the dress styles to fit. As a professional, I take time and educate them on some of these things in the best interest of my clients. Whiles some clients may be disrespectful, others would not pay me on time after sewing their garments. Nonetheless, I am always patient and cautious when dealing with them because the customer is always right”, said Abigail.

Apart from making her customers look good, Abigail also cares about their well-being. She sometimes visits them personally or checks on them through the phone. For Abigail Gyamfiwaa Bonsu, the love for her work and patience have always been her guiding principles in meeting the fashion needs of her clients and making a living out of it.