ABSTRACT

The curvetous nature of the feminine body makes it intricate to construct well-fitting garments for women. Consequently, the choice of a technique for the construction of female garments is critical to making well-fitting female garments. This study constructed and fit-tested garments (peplum blouses and straight cut skirts) made from flat pattern and draping techniques for small, medium and large sized female adults in Edo State. The objectives were to assess the visual impression of outfits (blouses and skirts) made from flat pattern and draping techniques, fit-test blouses made from flat pattern and draping techniques on models, fit-test skirts made from flat pattern and draping techniques on models, and examine the garment construction details of garments (blouses and skirts) made from flat-pattern and draping techniques. A 10 – man panel of judges were recruited to score the assessment sheet comprising of clothing and textile lecturers in the university of Benin as well as owners of garment construction centres in Ovia-North East Local Government of Edo State. It was observed that: (1) there is a significant difference between the fit of blouses made from flat pattern and draping techniques with the draping technique having a higher mean rank (93.69); and (2) there is a significant difference between the fit of skirts made from flat pattern and draping techniques with the flat pattern having a high mean rank of (89.20). This study recommends that garment producers in the study area should construct blouses using the draping technique, while skirts should be constructed by the flat pattern technique.  However, where the construction details are of importance, the draping technique is preferable for both skirts and blouses. This study has helped to clarify the contributions of the two garment construction techniques to the fit of blouses and skirts.