T & J Boutique

Working here in Shahibaug at T & J Boutique is usually pretty steady but it can get quiet in the middle of the day. The shop is tucked into a corner of the neighborhood and it’s not very big. I spend most of my time with a measuring tape around my neck and a pair of scissors nearby. There are pins all over the floor no matter how many times I sweep them up. The walls are covered with sketches and bits of lace that I’ve saved from previous jobs. It’s a bit cluttered and the lighting isn't always perfect for seeing the fine details on the fabric. We have a small changing area behind a curtain that sometimes sags a bit. Customers usually come in with their own ideas and we just try to make it work on the sewing machine. The machine itself is an older model and it makes a loud rhythmic thumping sound when I’m going fast. I keep a stack of fashion magazines on the table for people to look at while they wait for a fitting. Shahibaug is a nice area and I like looking out at the street when the school kids are walking home. It’s a simple life running a small boutique and there’s always something that needs to be hemmed or adjusted. I usually have a half-eaten sandwich sitting on the edge of the cutting table because there’s never a good time to stop.