Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the selection and application of interfacings
among small scale garment producers at Lapaz in Accra to ascertain their competency
levels and proffer strategies for improvement if necessary. The objectives were to
assess the level of awareness of varieties of interfacing fabrics on the market among
small scale garment producers in Lapaz, Accra; identify factors they considered in the
selection of interfacing fabrics; describe methods used by them to apply interfacings
and evaluate the interfaced garments produced by them. A hypothesis ―There is no
significant association between educational qualification and the factors considered in
selecting interfacings‖ was also tested in this study. The target population for the
study was small-scale garment producers in Lapaz-Accra. Convenience and snow ball
sampling techniques were employed in selecting the garment producers in the area.
Observation guides and interview schedule were used to collect data. Data were
analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and
Microsoft Excel to generate frequencies and percentages and presented in pie chart,
bar charts and tables. The result of the study revealed that all the respondents had a
high level of awareness of self-fabric interfacing and vilene; majority (more than
70%) of the respondents also had a high level awareness of calico and grey-baft
interfacing fabrics. Vilene was used by all the respondents of this study because it was
less expensive, readily available, comes in different weight, easy to use and give
desired results the respondents needed. Factors which mostly influenced the selection
of interfacing fabrics among the respondents were: weight of the fashion fabric, area
of the garment to be interfaced, application method, and colour of the fashion fabric.
Fabrication method and care requirements of the fashion fabrics were not considered
by the respondents. Lapped seam of joining interfacings and lapped dart method of
reducing bulk were the main interfacing application methods used by the respondents.
The mean of means score for quality of interfaced garments of the respondents was
2.59 which is quite high. A hypothesis tested to determine relationship between
educational qualification and factors considered in selecting interfacing indicated a
moderate positive correlation (r = .552, p<.05) with the aggregate factors for selecting
interfacings. Based on the findings it is recommended that the findings be made
available to the respondents and Council for Technical and Vocational Education and
Training (COTVET) so that respondents would be educated on the; varieties of
interfacings, factors considered in selecting interfacings, methods of applying
interfacings and also develop standards on interfaced garments made in Ghana.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF
GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, IN
PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION) DEGREE
MARCH, 2018