In a conversation with a Turmush correspondent, she shared that she was born in the Aitmatov district. In 1998, after getting married, she moved to Min-Bulak. “My husband and I are raising four sons and one daughter. I became the youngest daughter-in-law in a large family, and therefore I did not engage in household chores. Since childhood, I have been drawn to sewing, and I learned to create patchwork patterns from my aunt. After school, I received a seamstress certificate. About five or six years ago, I started sewing ethnic patchwork quilts. I had an old sewing machine, and even with it, I managed to complete many orders, although the work took a lot of time. My husband always supported me, saying that I could develop in my favorite field. Unfortunately, he passed away three years ago. He did not live to see many joyful moments in the children's lives,” Altynai recounts.
After the loss of her husband, Altynai began to work even harder to support her family. In 2022, instead of benefits, she received 100,000 soms through a social contract and purchased two modern sewing machines. Now she can fulfill more orders for trousseaus. “In our area, there is demand for such products, as we can offer lower prices without paying rent and working from home at any time. Mostly, I sew ethnic patchwork quilts, with prices starting from 2,000 soms depending on the materials used. Bags are also often ordered, where patchwork detailing plays an important role. The better the pattern, the higher the value of the product,” she noted.
Previously, the traditional trousseau included two long pillows, but this tradition is gradually fading. Altynai is trying to revive it by creating beautiful pillows with patchwork patterns. “The trousseau stays with the girl for life as a memory. This social program has significantly helped me—I am now always busy with my favorite work and do not look for jobs elsewhere. I combine household chores with what I love to do,” she added.
