Sewing instructor turns TikTok fame into real-world skills for Iraqi women

BAGHDAD — What began as a TikTok sewing tutorial has turned into a life-changing opportunity for dozens of women in Baghdad, as Israa Ouda, a tailoring instructor with 20 years of experience, launches her second in-person course in the capital.

Known to her thousands of followers for teaching stitching and pattern-making online, Ouda is now training 90 women at a workshop she runs in Za’faraniyah, east of Baghdad. The 30-day course is free of charge and open to women from across the city.

“I started sewing in 2004 and kept improving my skills,” Ouda told 964media. “In 2021, I earned a certificate from a professional design course in Turkey.”

She began teaching on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering online lessons that quickly gained popularity. “Because of high demand from women, I launched my first in-person course last year,” she said. “This current course has 90 trainees, and more than 150 are enrolled online.”

She has named her training center Courses by Miss Israa for Teaching Sewing and says her goal is to expand to Karbala and Sadr City. “We want to teach as many women as possible this profession,” she said.

Participants range from complete beginners to women with a longstanding interest in fashion. Mona Abbas, one of the trainees, said she joined after following Ouda’s TikTok lessons. “I’ve learned so much about design and cutting,” Abbas said. “My dream is to start a small sewing business. That’s my main motivation for joining. These free courses will help many women learn this craft.”

Another student, Yusra Mansour, said she had followed Ouda online for more than a year before enrolling. “We start from zero in this course,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about sewing. Other institutes aren’t free, so I want to thank her on behalf of myself and the other sisters in this course.”