Grading of ladies patterns by small scale garment producers in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis

Abstract

The study investigated the grading of ladies‟ patterns by small scale garment producers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. This study employed mixed methods design, specifically the triangulation design. The target population was all the 515 professional dressmakers and tailors (garment producers) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. However, 100 active members formed the accessible population. Twenty (20) participants who were garment producers were purposively sampled for the study. Interview schedule, observation guide, and test samples were used to gather data for the study. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviations, and frequencies and percentages, while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that garment producers did not patronize commercial patterns but produced their own, mainly from freehand cutting method. Garment producers were able to grade patterns for larger sizes than smaller sizes. Products from patterns produced fitted well with shoulder than all other body parts. Dart was poorly fitted from produced patterns. Major challenges of pattern grading were grading for ladies with same hip and waist measurements, grading for ladies with big bust and small hip, grading for small waist with large hip, grading for ladies of hollow chest and exchange of clients‟ measurements. It was recommended that the Government of Ghana provide standardized measurement through the investment in the scanners to create a database of measurements for Ghanaians. The Ghana National Association of Dressmakers and Tailors are entreated to pay more attention on pattern grading to make it key requirement for end of apprentice certification.