Sewing
Sewing is one of the historical professions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has been a common trade both in the past and present, known throughout the cities and governorates of the country. It requires a high level of focus when practiced and is carried out by both men and women in urban areas, unlike the custom in rural regions, where sewing is typically practiced only by women.
Sewing tools
In the past, tailors used simple and primitive tools to help them sew clothes and fabrics, including needles, threads, and scissors, and occasionally sewing machines, which were available on a limited scale. The craft of sewing was practiced for various purposes, such as earning income, meeting personal needs, and carrying out other household sewing tasks.
Sewing products
Tailors produce men’s garments such as thobe and vests, as well as various types of women’s clothing and children’s wear. They also make fabrics used as household items, such as towels and curtains. The workload of tailors increases during festive seasons and special occasions, when Eid clothes and related items are prepared.
Sewing and traditional professions
The craft of sewing intersects with several traditional professions similar to it, such as weaving or spinning, known in the northern regions of Saudi Arabia as al-sadu. It is an ancient craft that involves weaving camel hair and sheep’s wool to produce clothing and furnishings needed by people. Sewing also complements the craft of palm frond weaving, which relies on palm leaves to create household items that once met domestic needs.
Sewing in historical times
In western Saudi Arabia, tailors produced garments such as jubab and vests, often decorating them with various types of silk threads in different parts of the clothing.
Sewing was more common among women than men in central and eastern Saudi Arabia, due to the nature of the environment, which determined specific tasks for men and others for women. Alongside sewing, women in the desert regions specialized in weaving, spinning wool, and weaving beit al-sha‘r (traditional tents made of goat hair).
In northern Saudi Arabia, sewing products and their uses were similar to those in other regions. In the south, sewing practices were more widespread in urban areas, serving as a means of earning income and meeting the population’s needs.
Sewing in the modern era
In the modern era, sewing has become a commercial activity practiced in workshops and shops across Saudi Arabia, using machines that save time and effort and help tailors complete their work more easily. Small sewing machines have also become available to meet household needs.