Exploring Applique Craft Technique In Production of Household Clothing Articles In Rivers State

The study explored applique craft technique in production of household clothing articles in Rivers State. Specifically, the study produced five household clothing articles using applique craft technique and determined the functional, aesthetic and expressive attributes of diverse prototype household clothing articles produced. Research and Development design was used for the study. The population of the study was 20 judge’s representatives from three groups (6 Home Economics teachers, 7 registered tailors and 7 registered clothing entrepreneurs). There was no sampling since the population size was small and manageable. The result shows that five household clothing articles (throw pillow, potholder, wall hangar, oven mitten and water system toilet tank cover were produced using applique craft technique. The result also shows that the judges were satisfied with all the items on functional, aesthetic and expressive attributes of all the products made. Findings on functional attributes of prototype products revealed mean value for suitability of fabric ranging from (4.58 0.86) to (4.75 0.97); length of product (4.58 0.82) to (5.00.00) among others. The aesthetic attributes show mean values for texture ranging from (4.83 0.94) to (5.00 .00) for texture; (4.75 0.46 to (5.00 0.00) for color; (3.92 1.02) to 5.00 .00) for line placement among others. The expressive attributes show mean values ranging from 4.58 0.94 to (5.00 .00) for all the expressive attributes under consideration. The study concludes that utilizing applique craft technique for household clothing articles will bring about innovation in production of craft. Thus, increase in market for clothing articles made with applique craft technique as there will be increase demand. This will bring about innovation, creative exploration and create room for a good market for entrepreneurs. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that applique craft techniques should be used in production of household clothing articles by craft producers and that innovative household clothing articles should be produced by craft producers using applique craft technique based on its functional, aesthetic and expressive attributes.