Clothes Mender

The Rawwaf (clothes mender) is a skilled artisan specializing in sewing and mending garments, especially heavier ones such as coats, cloaks, jalabiyas, and traditional men’s suits. Known for his precision in repairing old clothes, adjusting sizes, and sewing buttons and pockets, the Rawwaf often ran a small shop tucked into the corners of Baghdad’s bustling markets or its narrow residential alleyways.

The profession’s name derives from the Arabic verb “رَفَّ” (raffa), meaning to stitch or patch perfectly capturing the essence of his meticulous craftsmanship.

The Rawwaf tailored coats and cloaks from wool or linen fabrics, often lining them from the inside to provide warmth. He would occasionally adorn cuffs or collars with simple embroidery. In addition to designing traditional men’s attire, he breathed new life into old garments patching them with matching fabrics and carefully sewing torn sections with skilled hands.

A familiar figure in the collective memory of Baghdad’s markets, the Rawwaf was always seen carrying his needle and scissors, adding buttons, fixing zippers, and restoring a garment’s soul.

Though sewing tools have evolved today, the craft of the Rawwaf still endures practiced in more modern ways, yet retaining the fragrance of a timeworn tradition that dressed the people of Baghdad for generations.