Third-generation ‘songkok’ maker gets 10,000 orders
KOTA BARU: A songkok maker has received nearly 10,000 orders from customers from around the country as Hari Raya Aidilfitri draws near.
Nurhayati Abu Bakar, 40, a third-generation songkok maker, said she and her seven workers had their hands full since last week to complete the orders.
She said she received orders three months before Ramadan.
“Our songkok is different from others as we emphasise quality and comfort, using high quality velvet cloth.
“It is sold for between RM24 and RM190, depending on size and quality.
“The orders in Ramadan are double the normal days.
“I cannot let any of my workers go on leave as I would not be able to finish the orders on time,” she said at her shop in Jalan Temenggong here.
Nurhayati said the most complicated process in making the songkok was sewing on the velvet as only experts could do it.
“The cloth needs to be stretched properly and must be done by a patient person as the process is the most important part to produce a good and comfortable songkok.
“It is not easy to find someone who can do the job.”
She said other processes included making the songkok’s shell, using a piece of cloth and paper so that it could be produced in a variety of sizes.
“Some orders are from famous people, and, in the past, even members of royal families have ordered from us,” said the mother of four.
Nurhayati said her songkok could be found in several shops in the state, adding that she had an agent who marketed them in other states.