In the months preceding her death, my mum had told my siblings and I, to never dispose of the Brother sewing machine. My brother once referred to it as the Holy Grail and said that it must be preserved.
In 2018-2020, I got involved in a community-led project exploring the untold stories of Bangladeshi seamstresses in London’s East End. We interviewed several Bangladeshi women in their 60s and documented their oral histories. Sadly, my mother had passed away so I gave a presentation of my first-hand observations as the daughter of a seamstress, growing up in the rag trade. In February 2020, our family’s sewing machine and I featured in the well-acclaimed BBC4 documentary, A Very British History: British Bangladeshis (Season 2, Episode 3). I was overjoyed as my parents would have been so proud to see their sewing machine appear on TV.
Subsequently, I donated the sewing machine to the Museum of London to showcase the achievements of Bangladeshi migrant diaspora who contributed to London’s history. What better way to carry on the legacies of Anwara Begum and Ashad Uddin than by sharing not only their story, but that of the Bangladeshi community in the East End garment trade with generations to come.
London-based Asma Begum is the daughter of Anwara Begum and Ashab Uddin, mother to four children, a writer and sewing enthusiast.
Anwara Begum’s story and her Brother sewing machine form an important part of the Museum of London’s exhibition ‘Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners shaped global style’ until 14 April 2024. You can also buy our that accompanies this major exhibition from our online shop, and at a discount when bought alongside your exhibition ticket.
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