Development of a Consumer-Based Quality Scale for Artisan Textiles: A Study with Scarves/Shawls

Denis Richard Seninde,Delores H Chambers,Edgar Chambers V,Edgar Chambers Iv

doi:10.3390/textiles1030025

Abstract

Modern textile consumers are increasingly becoming more watchful of the quality of the textiles that they purchase. This has increased the need for textile producers, especially artisan textile makers (e.g., knitters, tailors, dressmakers, seamstresses, and quilters), to improve the quality of their textile products. Information on several analytical tools that are commonly used for assessing the quality of textiles is abundant, but consumer-based tools for evaluating the quality of textiles remain limited. A consumer-based artisan textile-quality scale was developed using data collected from two focus groups (Phase 1) and a consumer quantitative study, n = 196 (Phase 2). Ten scarves and shawls were evaluated in the quantitative study and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the differences between the mean textile ratings for all the statements. Coefficient alpha (final raw alpha = 0.87) was also used to assess if the statements were consistent in the way they measured the quality of the textiles. Pearson correlation tests were used to validate the six-statement quality scale that included statements such as overall attention to detail, the fabric is durable, and stitching is even and consistent. Artisan textile makers in the USA can use this scale to better meet the functional needs of their customers. Additionally, the process that was employed in the development of the six-statement quality scale can be used by researchers in other countries to understand better the key quality characteristics of artisan as well other textile products.

Highlights

History shows that men and women have always been involved in the production of textiles for various uses
A list of statements that consumer textile experts found to be important in artisan textiles was determined with 30 of those statements being used to help develop a six-statement textile-quality scale
Those 30 statements, with a focus on the six-statement Textile-Quality Index (TQI) scale established in this study, can serve as critical guidelines for artisans or process owners in the US textile industry

Summary

Introduction

History shows that men and women have always been involved in the production of textiles for various uses. The role of women often has been greater than men in different cultures or countries such as the USA [1,2], Nigeria [3], Britain [4], Guatemala [5,6,7], China [8,9], and India [10,11]. In the Owe region in Nigeria (Africa), while the men prepared the soil for planting (clearing and tilling), the women planted and removed weeds from the cotton fields. Both men and women took part in the harvesting process, but the women processed the cotton to the point it was ready for weaving. The cotton textile products that the families produced in the Owe region were primarily used as needed by the households, though later (during colonial rule), men engaged more in the selling of cotton and textiles as their production capacities increased

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