The influence of constructional factors on the serviceability and discard of custom-made clothing among female students in the university of cape coast

Abstract

This study examined the influence that constructional factors have on the serviceability and discard on custom-made clothing. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between seaming, fit, fastening, underlining factors and serviceability of custom-made clothing among female students in the University of Cape Coast. It also examined the association between clothing serviceability and discard of customized garments. A quantitative descriptive survey design was employed and questionnaire was developed and administered among 233 randomly selected students of the University. The instrument attained a reliability coefficient of .838 during the pilot-testing. Statistical methods like percentages, frequencies, means, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation and Chi-square test were used. It emerged that serviceability was significantly related to all the constructional factors. Also, there was no association found between serviceability and years of discard of customized garments. Slit and kaba, and skirt and blouse were the main custom-made garments that many of the respondents had discarded. It is recommended that dressmakers should pay particular attention to the above important factors if they want to remain in business. Dressmakers should sensitized to the importance of constructional factors’ relationship to serviceability which would in the long run affect their productivity. This is likely to reduce the high rate of discard of custom-made gar