BY REBECCA MACKIN
TAKING a step into the world of clothing and design especially in drafting Solomon’s Women Newspaper this week manage to meet up with one of our local women who is an expert in cartographic drafting and sewing.
Lavinia Sifoni is a passionate and committed Solomon Islander who hails from Western Province and has a profession in cartographic drafting but then she turns her sewing skills into a tailoring business.
She was admired by many women and students in the country who have been inspired, blessed, and touched through her classes and teaching in sewing and drafting.
Ms. Sifoni had a passion for sewing and cartographic drafting since childhood. Here is what she has to say about her journey in business world of tailoring.
“I think my interest began ever since I was a child. My parents were Missionaries back then and my mother was a tailor with simple sewing skills, where I develop my interest from. After completing my primary at Keru School I got accepted to do my secondary study at the old Selwyn College.
“During my secondary years, my interest in sewing was always there. Unfortunately back then we have no home economics teacher so I could not develop my interest. From Selwyn, I was accepted at King George. After completing all my secondary levels, I got a scholarship to do Survey Drafting at the University of Technology in Papua New Guinea and Curtin University in Perth, Australia.
“I graduated with a Bachelor of Science cartography and return home to work at the Ministry of Lands and Housing. I worked as a professional drafter and Land surveyor however still my interest in sewing at heart was always there. Then I was told about a sewing class run by Ms. Hellen Hilly. Seeing it as an opportunity to further my long-lost passion, she started attending evening classes while working with the Ministry. Around that time a women’s group was formed called the Honiara Women’s Initiative (HWI). I joined in and became a member and through one of HWI’s programs, a lady from the United States of America came. Her name was Hellen Bowen. She has a profession in drafts. During her stay here a workshop training on Drafts was conducted. I joined with two other women, only the three of us were fortunate to get selected for the workshop. I took at heart what I learned during those sessions.
“During the workshop, my interest in sewing and drafts suddenly took a sharp turn because the training has boosted my abilities and learning skills as a draftswoman. After getting all the skills and techniques from that workshop drafts, I continued working with the ministry. Then one day I was asked by HWI’s members through Ms. Hilly to take up a training session for a small group of women on Sewing and Drafts. At first, I refused fearing for my lack of ability to teach others.
“I went back to Hellen Hilly and told her that I’m not ready for such a huge step. Instead, she encouraged me to take on the opportunity so I can develop my skills in sewing and drafts. After taking on the training my self-confidence begins to grow and my ideas in drafts and sewing broaden.
“Then one day I became very sick and so I decided to take early retirement in my work within the Ministry. After 19 years in the workforce, I retired, and then the idea of starting a Sewing and drafts class came.”
Now Ms. Lavinia is operating a small business offering courses on Sewing and Drafts. She said that the demand of students enrolling for her class is high but she prefers teaching smaller numbers because it would be easy for her to teach and many can easily absorb the skills.
“When teaching my students, I always share with them the best of my knowledge,” a happy, smiling Lavinia told Solomon Women.
She said for her it’s an inspiration to teach people with skills and not hold back so that the skills are passed on from one person to another.
She said that it is her dream to one day see many Solomon Islanders becoming fashion designers, especially in the area of pattern designs, and to see everyone well-groomed.
Asking Ms. Lavinia if money is the motivating factor to go into business, her answer is ‘’No’’.
“I love my country and it would be nice to see people dress smart. It’s also because I certainly want to share my skills. Most of my students who took up classes usually requested a second session. Most of the students I taught were not only people who have interests in sewing but are from all works of life. Some are doctors, teachers, housewives, and even Government officials’ spouses.
“One of the challenges I faced is taking orders from the wives of local top officials. They usually have different tastes and preferences. It’s even more challenging when those dresses are sewn will be worn on important occasions such as functions. And it’s even tougher when there is a limited deadline especially when orders came in late. Nevertheless, I always did my best to make sure they fit and that clients are satisfied with my work. Also when a pattern is brought from the internet it consumes time just to figure out the pattern but then you get the idea.
“Another challenge is having to perform the roles of being a business owner, a mother, and a wife. It’s a challenge but since my husband is now a tailor whom I trained and all my girls are grown-ups so they can do things such as cooking and washing by themselves.
“My family understands my work and they too can do sewing and drafts because I taught them. My recommendation to mothers or anyone is whether they are interested in sewing or not. Nowadays we have so many different types of styles, patterns, and fashion in clothing such as dresses, skirts, trousers, blouses, and so forth. The key to making that style a dream come true is by getting yourself started with Drafts. In drafting, you can create your style and can make any type of pattern,” Ms. Lavinia said.
