Former flight attendant and embroiderer Apy Elly Loebis, enjoys handcrafting because it relaxes her. When she isn’t embroidering, she is either with her husband or doing something else she enjoys.
Former stewardess turns embroidery skills into business
Apy Elly Loebis has been on the air for nearly three decades. Her profession as an air stewardess for Saudi Airlines was the dream of many as it allowed her to travel the world. Elly opted to leave her dream job after her husband suffered a stroke.
“He persisted in telling me not to quit my job when I said I wanted to do so to take care of him. Why not, I asked? He said that I was already flying about before we married. He was scared I would be upset with him.”
She added that she had assured him that 29 years on the air was enough.
“Insya-Allah, I told him that I wanted to take care of him due to his stroke. That is why I wanted to resign in 2014.”
Elly recalled those days when she was not at home — busy with her job, serving passengers on air — with a glimmer in her eyes as she talked about her husband.
“My husband never said anything at the time. He let me do whatever I wanted. When he was healthy, he was always encouraging and motivating me. It is now my responsibility to take care of him,” said the 55-year-old.
But once she quit her job, Elly was left confused, unsure of what she should do next. Instead of doing nothing, her restless nature compelled her to do everything. From becoming a Zumba instructor to becoming a line dance instructor, learning how to make jewellery and soap, and offering a decoupage course. However, the list does not end there.
Embroidery as her main job
“One day, I saw my friend making embroidery pieces and then attaching them to a brass-coloured frame. I asked her where she bought it. That’s when I decided to revive my embroidery skills and start this,” said Elly.
The optimistic lady had learned the art of embroidery in her senior year of high school in Jakarta, Indonesia. Students were encouraged to participate in a co-curricular activity back then.
“I’d decided to do embroidery. We didn’t have nice frames to attach our artwork in back then. We only stitch on tablecloths and handkerchiefs.”
Elly began selling under the Instagram handle ‘Elly_Loe _Collection’ in 2018 and revealed that she prefers embroidery over her other side income jobs as it is more relaxing.
“It is also quite easy. So, whenever I get an idea, I can sew it up quickly. A small design takes 45 minutes to sew. However, for more complicated ones, it can take up to an hour or more.”
Elly also said that she does not draw her designs, but rather sews what she envisions.
“Everything can be done if I’m happy. But I don’t do it if I’m not in the mood. I would do stuff like go for a Zumba exercise, work in the kitchen for ‘Elly_Loe_Kitchen,’ or meet up with friends.”
Elly said that each brooch, necklace, bookmark, and key chain has its own unique design because none of her designs are repeated unless requested. When asked about the difficulties of doing embroidery, she revealed that if she ever sewed wrongly, she would have to open the stitches and redo them.
Apart from that, Elly said that focusing on tiny details can be taxing for her vision.
“When I sew at home, I’ll have a magnifying glass attached to my work table so that I can easily perform needlework.”
The good things in life
Elly’s chirpy and friendly personality had gotten her this far. Looking back, Elly was glad she had resigned and pursued a wide range of hobbies, with embroidery being her main focus. She could use her flexible working hours to care for her husband at the same time.
But, in the midst of her business, the entrepreneur recalled fond memories from one of those days when she manned her booth.
“I met a lady who had bought my work. Then she sent me a message requesting for newer designs. The third time she texted, she wanted a batch of the same designs.
“She was a friendly and humble lady from Miri. Whenever she visits Kuching, she always invites me out for food and drinks, as well as to hang out. We ended up becoming good friends. This is all because of the business that has brought me new friends.”
Elly also attended other events with a close friend from the handmade soap brand ‘Themuq.’ She said that the owner of that brand always informed her of the next exhibition she could attend.
“And whenever I heard of any events where we could set up a booth, I would bring her along.”
Elly hopes that by taking it one step at a time, she would one day make her husband happy by expanding her business.
“I’m hoping to be successful,” she said, as her eyes showed that everything she does is for her dear husband.
Elly demonstrates how to sew her handmade item.
