Analysis of Strength and Colour Fastness of Smock Fabrics From Selected Traditional Areas in Northern Ghana

Abstract

The use of smock, primarily a preserve of Northern Ghana ethnic groups, has somehow assumed a national dimension, and even beyond. Considering the high patronage of smock and its other fabric products, it is most important for the consumer to know the basic information about the quality characteristics. The aim of this study is to find out the differences in tensile strength, colour fastness, and dimensional stability among others, that exist among the smock fabrics produced from Yendi, Daboya and Yelwongo all of Northern Ghana. The quasi-experimental research design was adopted and Stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain the sample of 162 for the study. Samples were manipulated to assess the variables under study at the clothing laboratory of Ghana Standard Authority. ANOVA was used to determine the differences between and within groups of the fabrics. It was found out that there existed significant differences in tensile strength and colour fastness, and other fabric characteristics at p≤0.01 among the categories examined. It can be concluded that the differences in the tensile strength of the smock fabrics will influence the life span of the smocks made from them. Smocks that are made from the fabrics that have poor colour fastness were found to be dyed with weak mordants. Fabrics that have more weight will influence the draping quality of smocks made from them. It is recommended that the ministry of trade and industry together with Ghana Standard Authority should standardise the tensile strength for smock fabric weavers, local producers of yarns should substitute natural dyestuff with synthetic ones or use mordants that can ensure colour sticks to fabrics to be dyed.