What to Expect
Step into the world of sarees with Queen’s Tailoring, a beloved name that began humbly in 1990, selling sarees door to door before settling into a permanent shop. In this intimate session, you’ll meet the seamstress behind the shop, who has spent decades crafting and curating sarees for women across generations. Through live demonstrations and storytelling, she’ll walk you through the fascinating evolution of Indian clothing—from traditional half-sarees for young girls to the various ways sarees are worn across age, region, and occasion.
Discover the history of the saree and how its styles have shifted over time—from revealing silhouettes before colonial modesty norms, to its resurgence as a bold fashion statement today. Learn to identify different types of Indian attire, fabrics, and draping styles, and explore how sarees are chosen for weddings, temple visits, and daily wear. You’ll also get to witness the difference between North and South Indian drapes with step-by-step demos by seasoned wearers. Whether you're new to sarees or grew up around them, this session will deepen your appreciation for the artistry, memory, and meaning stitched into every fold.
About Meet My Craftsman
From the soothing touch of a traditional Javanese masseuse helping a new mother regain her strength, to the gentle folds of a child’s first saree, or the lovingly hand-stitched chouchou, our constant companion from childhood—our first journeys through life are often accompanied by the care and craftsmanship of those who make these moments tangible.
Meet My Craftsman is a celebration of the crafts, rites, and rituals that mark the beginning of life. On the theme of My First Journeys, this programme explores the many ways communities across Singapore commemorate milestones such as the birth of a child, the first month, first year, or first rite of passage. These early steps are steeped in meaning—often marked with traditional foods, handmade tokens, and symbolic objects that express hope, protection, and joy.
From practical postpartum traditions like Javanese massage and herbal care, to edible celebrations like Ang Ku Kueh (red tortoise cake given during a baby’s first month) and Yi Bua (a steamed coconut glutinous rice dumpling from the Hainanese community), each object or treat carries with it a deeper cultural resonance. Clothing, too, becomes a marker of growth and identity—like the physical and symbolic meaning of sarees in the Indian community, handmade and passed down through generations.
Many of these traditional ways of welcoming and celebrating new life are fading in today’s fast-paced world. Through demonstrations, conversations, and hands-on experiences, Meet My Craftsman shines a spotlight on the artisans and practitioners who keep these customs alive. Join us as we meet the craftspeople who have helped generations begin their life journeys with care, meaning, and beauty. Slow down be reminded of the objects, gestures, and traditions that make our earliest memories so deeply treasured.
Meet your Host
With nimble fingers and a sharp eye for detail, Supramaniam Danam has been stitching memories into fabric for over three decades. As the founder of Queen’s Tailoring, she has dressed generations of women for weddings, religious ceremonies, and everyday moments—each saree carefully fitted and folded to honour tradition and individuality.
Born in Tamil Nadu and raised amidst rich textile traditions, Mdm Danam’s journey began when she received her first half-saree at the age of 12—a rite of passage that ignited a lifelong love for Indian clothing. Since opening her shop in 1990, she has seen saree trends shift with the times, but her passion for preserving its cultural roots remains unwavering. Her knowledge is stitched not only from years at the sewing machine, but from listening closely to the women she has served—each with their own stories, styles, and reasons for wearing the saree.
In this session, Mdm Danam welcomes you into her world with warmth, sharing lived insights and craftsmanship that go beyond fabric and thread.
Who should come?
- Everyone is welcome to participate! Participants 12 years and under must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian at all times.
Programme Details
- Approximate Duration: 1.5 hours (Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour for registration)
- Language: English
- Meeting Point: Entrance of Tekka Centre along Serangoon Road, outside Maxi-Cash (665 Buffalo Road Zhujiao Centre, Tekka Market, 210665)
- Ending Point: The event will start and end at the same point.
- The events will proceed rain or shine.
What to bring?
- Participants should dress comfortably and come in covered shoes.
- Participants should bring along an umbrella and a bottle of water.
- Please ensure that you bring along any personal medication. Asthmatic individuals are reminded to bring their inhaler.
Other important information
- Parking is available at Tekka Place Carpark.
- The venue is not wheelchair friendly.
- Photography is allowed during the event.
Disclaimer
- All ticket sales are final. There will be no refund if you wish to cancel your tickets.
- Each ticket admits only one participant.
- By agreeing to participate in the tour, every participant will be responsible for any injury, loss of damage due to careIessness of other actions on his/her part or that of children under his/her charge.
- Participants must abide by the house rules set out by the host. Facilitators will brief participants at the start of the programme.
- Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.
For updates:
- Follow us at @mycommunitysg on Instagram and @myqueenstown on Facebook.
- Visit mycommunity.org.sg to learn about our initiatives.
- Visit mycommunityfestival.sg for all our latest updates.
