CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The textile world is very broad and everyone is dependent on it. Nearly every aspect of our lives uses some form of textile. Imagine what would have happened, if all textiles were removed from our environment. In the home, most furnishings are enhanced with textiles, even woven mosquito net on the windows and around our beds are textile pieces. In the class-room, many books have some form of textile. The car not only has textile upholstery, but the wire in electrical system is insulated in woven cloth. Within the rubber of tyres is either woven steel or fibre glass cloth which gives it strength. Indeed textiles are ever present in our lives.

        The most common use of textiles are for clothing and containers such as bags and basket. In homes, they are used in carpeting, upholstered furnishing, window shades, towels, covering for tables, beds and other flat surfaces. In work places, they are used in industrial and scientific processes such as filtering; Miscellaneous uses include flags, backpacks, tents; Cleaning devices, such as handkerchiefs and rags; Transportation devices such as balloons, kites, sails and parachutes. Children can learn, using textiles to make collages, sew, quilt and toys. Textiles used for industrial purposes and chosen for characteristic other than their appearances include textile structure for aircraft and automotive applications; Medical textiles for example implants; Geotextiles. reinforcement of embankment; Agro textiles e.g. textiles for crop protection; Protective clothing e.g. Clothes worn against heat and radiation, fire fighting clothing, clothes worn against molten metals for welders, stab protection, and bullet- proof vests.

        This project therefore is aimed at helping the upcoming textiles students and those interested in textiles and its end products to appreciate the efforts of textile producers, and especially fabrics made in Nigeria. Fabrics have gained so much prominence so much so that its adaptation for interior and domestic usage has brought about great aesthetics and uniqueness. Although, dyed fabrics are generally used for clothing, they have of late become relevant in the area of interior decoration and other domestic usage like shoes, caps etc.

        Adaptation in textiles means to modify and suit a particular purpose. While dyeing is the complete immersion of the fabric into a solution containing dyes and chemicals. On the other hand, fabric is referred to as any material made through weaving, knitting, crocheting or bonding that may be used in the production of further goods like garments e.t.c. PH From the definitions of dyes and fabrics,  the meaning of the term “dyed fabric” can now be easily understood.

        Therefore, the title adaptation of woven fabric on batik for personal clothing will no longer be strange. However, in this project the researchers have carefully researched and made successful attempts in the adaptation of woven fabrics on batik for personal use.   

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

        As the title indicates “An adaptation of woven fabrics on batik for personal clothing” the following are the statement of the problem.

Transportation was also another problem encountered. So trips were made to Benin and Auchi anytime materials were needed coupled with the risk of carrying them.

1.3   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

        The significance of this study is centered on   enlightening the public on the possibility of the adaptation of woven fabrics on Batik to produce items like dresses, shoes, walking sticks, caps e.t.c.

1. To adapt other usage for textile materials for domestic and household end use
2. To create a means for awareness and marketing for such end-use.
3. To document our findings for future use
4. To encourage new artist into the field of decoration. utilization and adaptation of fabric in other end use than the normal usage that we are used to.

1.4. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is to see how woven materials or fabric can be adapted into end uses other than familiar usages. 

        At the end of the research, there will be an exhibition to show case all the beautiful works that were produced in the course of the research.

1.5. LIMITATION OF STUDY

One of the problems encountered in the course of the research was time. The time was not enough considering the enormity of the project. The production of woven fabrics and it’s adaptation on batik, to produce the end-uses took a lot of time and energy.

1.6   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Adaptation:The act of making or becoming suitable for new needs; to change so as to be suitable for new needs.

Batik: Batik is a fabric dyeing method using wax to create patterns and design.

Weaving : It is the inter-lacing of yarns to form a structure.

Yarn: Yarns are unprocessed fibres.

Weft : Weft are those yarns that runs horizontally on the loom.

Warp : Warps are those yarns that are layed vertically on the loom.

Loom : A loom is a device used in weaving to help knit threads together to make a single piece of cloth