Housewife melds batik and soft toys in venture

A FULL-time homemaker in Melaka has turned her passion for sewing into a source of income by producing soft toys for children.

The toys are crafted from batik fabric in various sizes, colours and shapes.

Mazlina Abdul Majid, 51, from Kampung Rim, said she had made approximately 10,000 soft toys since starting the business around four years ago.

Assisted by two workers, she utilises one of the rooms in her home as a dedicated sewing workshop.

“These toys are unique because they reflect Melaka’s identity through the batik designs and come in the form of a mouse deer.

“Other animals I have in the soft toy range include dinosaurs, rabbits, cats and owls.

“They are child-friendly and suitable as souvenirs,” she said.

Besides soft toys, she also makes other products such as batu seremban (the pieces in a traditional game), keychains and face masks.

Mazlina said she prioritised quality over quantity in every product to ensure durability and customer satisfaction.

The mother of six previously worked in a factory.

Mazlina in her work room at home in Kampung Rim. — Photos: BK

After resigning from the factory, she took a sewing course under a programme organised by a government agency and received guidance from the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia).

Besides sourcing batik fabric from local entrepreneurs, Mazlina creates her own designs using clay during the batik-making process in a workshop near her village.

Items produced under her Che Embun Creative Collection brand have reached the United Kingdom through the MyCraftshoppe platform, an online sales platform for craft products and services.

Over these four years, Kraftangan Malaysia has provided financial aid, production, materials and marketing assistance, which led to these craft products gaining public attention.

Mazlina was among the exhibitors at the Craft Media Tour programme in Jasin.

“For me, this craft industry can benefit anyone interested in venturing into it, as it can serve as an additional source of family income,” she said.

According to Mazlina, each soft toy and craft product she makes is priced between RM12 and RM120, depending on the size and type.

As reported by BK, the craft entrepreneur has also been certified with the Malaysian Craft Standards 1:2022 for meeting seven criteria related to product, technical ability, production capability, good practice, management efficiency, financial strength and business performance.