Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to develop bodice block patterns for female youths in three size categories- small, medium and large as well as test the fit of the garments constructed from the blocks. The area of study was Enugu State. The study was carried out in two phases: development of bodice block patterns for the subjects in three sizes using body measurements already established from 900 female youths and evaluation of the fit of the garments developed from the blocks. Three models were used to test the fit of the garments constructed from the blocks. Purposive sampling was used to select 30 judges. The evaluation instrument for rating the fit of the garments constructed from the blocks was a five point rating scale. Data generated were analysed using Mean, ANOVA and the Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT). Nine blocks comprising three back bodice blocks, three front bodice blocks and three sleeve blocks were developed for the three size categories. Bodices were constructed from the developed blocks to test for fit. The fit of the garments were rated very satisfactory by the three sets of judges on nearly all the variables tested.Key words: Block, Pattern, Technology, Clothing Industry, Nigerian’s economy
Highlights
The clothing industry is recognized as one of the major employers of labour
The mean ratings of the judges on the fit of the bodice for the three sizes – small, medium and large were all indicative of good fit for most the variables used for the assessment
The judges were consistent in their ratings on the fit of the garments constructed from the blocks
Summary
The clothing industry is recognized as one of the major employers of labour. In the USA for instance, Jarrow and Dickerson (1996) observed that the apparel manufacturing industry employed more people than the entire publishing, printing field and the automobile manufacturing industries together. The apparel manufacturing industry makes use of block for large scale production. A block in apparel production refers to the shape and form in which a garment is presented. There are many types of blocks and they vary in details, methods of construction and presentation. They include – the standard block, the simplified block, the trade block and the tailoring block, among others. Block patterns can be developed by drafting or draping or a combination of these methods (Hollen and Kundel, 1993). Draping on the other hand involves working directly with a fabric on a model or dress form to obtain a cloth pattern.
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