Building on a family tradition: Abu Qusay’s sewing machine craft in Tikrit

SALAH AL-DIN — Ahmed Abdul Wahab, known as Abu Qusay, is a skilled sewing machine repairman and the owner of Abu Qusay Shop in Tikrit, Salah Al-Din. His journey in this trade began after his retirement in the 1980s, where he specialized in repairing and selling sewing machines, including industrial and household models. Over the years, his shop expanded to include mixers, meat grinders, and other household equipment.

Abu Qusay started by renting a small shop, over the years, he successfully built a reputation in the city, establishing three branches in Tikrit’s Doctors’ Street, becoming a go-to destination for women in the area. He trained his three sons—Qusay, Luay, and Moan—making the craft a family tradition.

“After retiring in the 1980s, I decided to look for a new profession that would benefit both myself and the people of Tikrit, so I chose the field of machine repair,” Ahmed Abdul Wahab told 964media.

He added, “My shop has a strong reputation in Tikrit and the surrounding areas and is considered one of the well-known destinations in the area.”

Moan Ahmed, who manages the second branch of Abu Qusay’s shop, told 964media, “I began working in sewing machine repairs at the age of 12 in 1991, learning from my father and attending courses in Baghdad.”

Ahmed continued, “I constantly strive to keep up with the latest technologies, enabling me to repair even the most advanced machines. My family has been in this trade for generations, and we aim to open new branches in Tikrit and beyond.”

Star Al-Dulaimi, a sewing machine repairman, also credits Abu Qusay for teaching him the trade. “I learned all aspects of machine repairs from Abu Qusay, including working on industrial machines, meat grinders, mixers, hair dryers, and irons. These skills, combined with years of experience, make us a trusted team in this field.”