Apprentices Perception On Apparel Fit Made With Pattern Drafting And Free-Hand Cutting Methods

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 of pattern drafting training which will lead to more production of better apparel fit. The study recommended the IDTA should enact policy to incorporate pattern drafting and other methods of apparel construction into the training curriculum of apprentices to develop interest in the use of these methods right from the onset. Additionally, the study suggested future studies to focus on the factors that contribute to the dropouts during the apprenticeship period.