The Federation of Latin American Rural Women in Cuba (FLAMUR) promotes the creation of small shops that modify and create clothing by using the experience and knowledge found in every home. Traditionally, every Cuban household always had a sewing machine, but with time, most operators and machines have disappeared.
Cubans always like new clothing, and these shops use recycled fabric to make new garments with custom designs and fits, since new fabric is not usually available. Regardless, the new designs and updates are in high demand. They also seek to rescue many young women from prostitution by giving them an opportunity to reach economic independence.
The government viewed the sale of clothes from these shops as a boycott organized by independent organizations because they began to compete with the government owned stores and so they closed a great deal of them. At this moment, the only ones allowed to operate are those that produce their own textile products.