Fashion accessory products design from handspun mulberry and cotton blended yarn: Mechanical characteristics and consumer response

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the composition ratios and mechanical qualities of handspun yarn made from mulberry and cotton blended fibers for textile craft, design fashion products made from handspun yarn, and evaluate the target group’s opinions on the fashion products. Using the mixed methods research approach, this study integrated both experimental and quantitative research. The results revealed that handspun mulberry and cotton fibers blended yarn at the ratio of 40:60 had the most disorganized fibers and the highest crimp level. However, the four varied composition ratios of these two types of fibers had no significant effect on the fiber weight and yarn count of the handspun yarn (p > 0.05). In terms of mechanical qualities, the 40:60 handspun yarn had the highest tensile strength and tenacity (p > 0.05) compared to pure cotton handspun yarn. The elongation property of the 20:80 blended mulberry and cotton fiber yarn was determined to be the highest. The target group, which included experts, community members, and consumer perspectives, had the highest level of agreement. Textiles produced from Mulberry fiber, an agricultural waste, have the potential to revitalize weaving communities. This research is also valuable to cotton weaving communities, textile designers, and artists.