As winter approaches, quilt-making shops in Atgharia upazila of Pabna are buzzing with activity. Artisans are working day and night to keep up with the rush. From dawn to dusk, shops are filled with the sounds of cotton fluffing, fabric cutting, and stitching. While full-blown winter has yet to arrive, locals are flocking to shops to buy new quilts (lep-toshok) or repair old ones as an early preparation.
However, ordinary citizens are facing higher costs this season. Business owners report that the prices of cotton, fabric, and other raw materials have risen significantly alongside artisan wages. This spike in production costs has led to intense price bargaining between buyers and sellers. While buyers want to secure their winter essentials early, sellers are struggling to manage overhead costs.
A field visit to various local markets—including Debottar, Atgharia, Chandva, Koroitola, Khidirpur, Parkhidirpur, Sorabaria, Koyrabari, Dengaragram, Ekdanta, and Laxmipur—showed high momentum among the artisans. In one corner, new quilts are being stitched, while in another, old bedding is being ripped apart, cleaned, and fitted with new fabric. Some buyers noted that prices seem relatively stable for now but are buying early to avoid the peak winter rush. Others find the extra costs straining their households, forcing them to opt for repairs over buying new items.
Local businessman Rezaul Karim from the Debottar market shared, "Last year's business was decent. Winter hasn't fully set in yet this year, but we are already getting a good response. We are also securing orders for weddings and social events." Another businessman, Saddam Hossain, added that rising material prices and labor wages have left them with no choice but to adjust prices, which frequently leads to bargaining with budget-conscious buyers.
Given the seasonal nature of the trade, small entrepreneurs often require extra capital to expand during peak periods. Addressing this, Upazila Social Services Officer Ismat Jerin stated that while technical support for quilt-making is unavailable at their office, they can provide interest-free micro-loans to capital-stretched artisans, subject to fund allocations. Local experts believe that providing easy-term credit to these seasonal craftsmen would secure local employment and boost the rural economy as the temperatures continue to drop.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Atgharia (Pabna) Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
