Apprentices perception on apparel fit made with pattern drafting and free-hand cutting methods
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Peer Reviewed Journal and Book Publishing
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the perceptions of apprentices on apparel fit made with pattern drafting and
free-hand cutting methods.
Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive survey was considered adequate
for this study as it has the advantage of soliciting respondent’s views on the nature of the situation
as it existed at the time of a study. The design is an efficient way of collecting information of a
large group of people within a short time using questionnaires. The survey design was deemed
appropriate for this study as it has the advantage of seeking the views of informal dressmakers and
tailors on the use of pattern drafting and free-hand cutting in apparel construction. It allowed for
the use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques in the study. This paved way for better
understanding of a phenomenon under study. The use of these methods offered the opportunity to
have in-depth information and also the weakness in one method is compensated for by the strength
in another method.
Results: respondents agreed that using free-hand cutting method of apparel construction has
certain limitations such as its inability to neither produce a perfect fit, takes care of fullness nor
bring out the curves among others. Less than one third of the respondents were of the view that
free-hand cutting contributed to perfect fit of apparel. Apprentices held a positive view about the
use of pattern drafting as providing better fit of apparel as compared to free-hand cutting. It was
summed that although free-hand cutting was the main training method used, some styles,
because of their unique features, could only be cut with pattern and comes out better than free-
hand cutting.
Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: The implication is that given the
opportunity, training and necessary materials, these apprentices would start using more of pattern
drafting than free-hand cutting. Therefore, the study recommended that the IDTA increase the
opportunities for pattern drafting training, which will lead to more production of better apparel fit.
The study recommended that the IDTA should enact a policy to incorporate pattern drafting and
other methods of apparel construction into the training curriculum of apprentices to develop an
interest in the use of these methods right from the onset. Additionally, the study suggested that
future studies to focus on the factors that contribute to the dropouts during the apprenticeship
period.
Description
International Journal of Strategic Marketing Practice Vol.1, Issue 1, No.1, pp 1-11, 2021
Keywords
Apprentices, Pattern Drafting, Free-hand cutting, Apparel fit