ASSESSMENT AND CLASSIFICATION OF FABRIC OFF-CUTS GENERATED BY TAILORING AND GARMENT ENTERPRISES FOR CRAFT AND TOY PRODUCTION IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Textile production and garment construction generate substantial quantities of fabric remnants, popularly known as fabric off-cuts, which are frequently discarded as waste in tailoring shops, fashion houses, and garment enterprises. This study assessed and classified fabric off-cuts generated by tailoring and garment enterprises in Rivers State, Nigeria, with a view to determining their suitability for craft and toy production. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A sample of 415 respondents, comprising secondary school leavers drawn from six Local Government Areas across the three senatorial districts of Rivers State, was selected using a multistage sampling procedure involving stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a researcher-developed Fabric Off-cuts Identification Checklist (FOIC), which was validated by experts in Clothing and Textiles, Home Economics, and Entrepreneurship Education, and analysed using frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that twelve of the fifteen types of fabric off-cuts assessed were suitable for craft and toy production, with cotton (95.9%), Ankara/African print (93.7%), felt (92.0%), and denim (88.0%) off-cuts recording the highest levels of acceptance. Chiffon, organza, and silk off cuts were classified as unsuitable due to their delicate textures and poor durability under repeated handling. The study concludes that tailoring and garment enterprises generate a wide range of fabric off-cuts that constitute viable raw materials for craft-based enterprises. It recommends the establishment of structured collection systems between garment enterprises and craft/vocational training centres to formalise the supply of suitable off-cuts for skill acquisition and small-scale production.