Quilt makers in north return to trade

A worker stitches a quilt at a shop in Dinajpur town as demand for the item sees a rise with the advent of winter, which arrives earlier in the northern districts.Photo: STAR

Quilt makers in the district are all geared up for their seasonal business as the winter is about to set in the northern region.
Workers at quilt shops across the district are seen busy stitching quilts, besides the pillows and mattresses. Most shops, which use to sell readymade products, are now receiving orders from customers.
Mohammad Ali, owner of Mohammad Ali Quilt Shop, in Dinajpur Sadar upazila said, they do brisk business every winter. But this year they are uncertain about their business as the prices of materials for making quilt have gone up.
He said he had set up a cotton gin this year but is still unsure about good business or profit.
In the district, there are about 300 quilt shops that employ at least 2000 people.
Quilt maker Rahamat Ullah in Ghoraghat upazila said, they have already started getting orders from the surrounding villages.
In winter, we work hard to earn breads for the rest of the year, he said.
As Hindus prefer winter for marriages of their wards in the region, the demand for quilts, mattresses and pillows shoots up from October to March, said Rafiqul Islam of Bochaganj upazila.
Most quilt makers of Barabandar and Churipatti areas in the town said they eagerly wait for this time of the year as they are dependent on quilt business.
They said, for household purpose, people want good quality cotton while the hoteliers choose low quality cotton.
Quilts will be costly this year as the cotton price has gone up by Tk20 to 30 per kilogram, said a quilt maker.
Imported cotton for quilts is now being sold at local market at Tk140 per kilogram which was Tk110 last year. Local cotton is sold at Tk60 a kg in place of Tk40 last year. At least 5kg cotton is needed for making a quilt, traders said.
Besides, prices of cloths for quilt covers also went up in the region. Traders said that cloths priced at Tk20 a yard last year are now being sold at Tk32.
We are really worried because of price hike, said Mohmmad Ali.
Anwarul Islam, a buyer at a local quilt market said that the prices have doubled.
A quilt cost me Tk 1700 this year for which I spent around Tk 900 to 1300 last year, he said.