MST-Department of Textiles, Family and Consumer Sciences
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Browsing MST-Department of Textiles, Family and Consumer Sciences by Author "Tumuti, D.W."
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Item Determination of quality and utilization of Aramine fibres from the plant urena lobata as a textile fibre in Kenya(2012-04-11) Nkatha, Lydia; Tumuti, D.W.Since Kenya imports most of the vegetable fibres apart from cotton and sisal, there is need for research in the development and utilisation of other vegetable fibres sources. This study however, was aimed at analysis the quality of aramina fibres from the plant Urena Lobata that grows widely and as a weed in Kenya. Specifically the study was to determine the chemical and physical properties of aramina fibres, make sample yarns from fibres using hand-spinning methods, construct sample articles using simple hand techniques and compare the aramina fibre qualities with the established properties of a textile fibre. The methodology used was experimental and involved extraction of the fibre by retting process, situational observation of the experiments and note taking as well as making of sample articles. The analysis was done both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the results presented in terms of reports, tables and figures. The experiments were carried out at Kenya Bureau of Standards (Textile Quality Control Laboratory) where the necessary conditions for textile testing were maintained at temperature 20°C + 2°C and Relative Humidity 65 + 2%. The carding, spinning and dyeing process were carried out at the Fine Art department (Kenyatta University) The process of extraction of aramina fibres has not been documented. However, Joseph (1986), and Ghosh (1993) argue that the fibre can be extracted in a similar manner as jute. Therefore, the process of jute fibre extraction was adapted whereby the barks were stripped off from the wooden portion and subjected to partial rotting by immersion in water. The process took two (2) weeks and about 2.6 kg of fibres were obtained from 22 kg of unretted green bark. The unretted bark contained impurities and moisture hence were much heavier than the dry fibres. The fibres were then subjected to various fibre tests. The fibre was found to have a staple length of 13.5 cm and burning characteristics like those of other natural cellulose fibres such as cotton and linen. The fibre has a moisture regain value of 9.7%, 42.9% stronger when wet than dry and percentage elongation was recorded to be 1.035 when dry and 1.3% when wet. The wetness of the fibre has significant effect on the elongation as well as on fibre strength (tenacity) which was found to be 2.0 g/d for the wet fibres while that of the dry fibres was found to be 1.4%%g/d. Chemically the fibre is affected by acids and this implies that the fibre cannot be dyed using dyestuffs that are acidic or stored in acidic solvents and this property is important in the formation of oxycellulose used in the manufacture of regenerated fibres. The fibre was found to be resilient and pliable. This quality made it possible to be spun into yarn, which was later, dyed and made into articles. Various methods used to make the articles include crocheting, plaiting, hand weaving, card weaving and macramé knots. The articles made include a shoulder bag, a tablemat, a floor mat, a belt, a plant hanger and a toothpick holder cover. In short, the fibre was found to qualify as a textile fibre and can be recommended for usage in the textile industry both at large and small scale. Since it's locally available, cheap to obtain and of good spinning and dyeing quality it can be of a great use in the "Jua Kali" sector.Item Extraction and Utilization of Texture Fibres from the Leaves of the Pineapple Plants(2014-03-18) Kariuki, Mary Mumbi; Mokabi, N.; Tumuti, D.W.Given that vast quantities of pineapple leaves go into waste each year in Kenya, this study was carried out to investigate the possibility of extracting the fibre and to further analyze the quality of the fibre in comparison to other cellulosic fibres that are already in use in the Kenyan textile industry. About 1.lkg of fibre was extracted using hand decorticating methods. The fibre tests that were carried out showed the fibre to be similar to flax in visual and Longitudinal microscopic appearance, while the cross-sectional appearance is like that of sisal. The burning characteristics are similar to those of other cellulosic fibres in general. The moisture regain value of 10..39 is close to that of cotton which ranges from 7-12. However the tenacity of the fibre is lower than that of other cellulosic fibres, though slightly higher than that of regular rayon which is a regenerated cellulose fibre. The fibres were also spun using hand techniques, and a variety of textile articles made using various hand weaving techniques.Item Psychological and socio-economic factors influencing clothing consumption by employed women in a liberalised market: a case of Nairobi city, Kenya(2012-02-01) Apunda, Edwinah Amondi; Tumuti, D.W.; Gitobu, Julia K.Kenya's participation in the global trade as a result of liberalization has been evidently felt by clothing consumers since the year, 1993. Many traders have since been able to import goods at relatively lower costs than before, clothing items being among them. Consequently, consumption of imported clothing items by Kenyans has been enhanced a great deal; a fact evident on the streets of Nairobi city as consumers are dressed in varied clothing fashions and designs. However, problems such as exploitation of consumers by traders, demonstrated in a number of ways still remain. The purpose of this research, therefore, was to identify the psychological and socio-economic factors, which influence the selection and consumption patterns of clothing by women in the liberalized market. The study focused on the Central Business District of Nairobi City. This study adopted the descriptive survey design. A sample of 233 female employees (156 and 77) was obtained from Government of Kenya ministries and Private Employment Companies respectively. Purposive sampling technique was used. A list of GOK ministries was obtained from the Central Bureau of Statistics, while the Nairobi Stock Exchange office provided the list for the PEC. Data were collected using 'closed and open' ended questionnaire. Frequencies and percentages were used to organize and analysed the data. An attempt to use Chi-square test of relationship was made, but the results were presented and analysed at the cross-tabulation level. The response rate was 89.6 percent. Results show that the psychological factors, which strongly influenced the respondents' clothing selection/consumption, were: clothing items in which one looked attractive, what was fashionable, the personal values or beliefs of the respondents, the respondents' attitude towards clothing items in the liberalised market, the cost of the clothing item in question, the quality of the clothing items, the colour of the clothing items and the fitting characteristics of the clothing items. The socio-economic factors were the amount of money available to them, the social activities in which they engaged, what was approved by their peers, colleagues and family members, the purpose/use of the clothing items, and their employment status. The market related problems, which also affected the consumers' clothing consumption, were: uniform style of dressing, rapid rate of fashion change, exorbitant prices on clothing items, which are otherwise unique, sale of imitation clothing for original ones by clothing producers and retailers. A high proportion of the respondents belonged to the low and middle-income groups with only a few in the high-income group. They preferred imported clothing items to the local ones. The results also show that clothing stores and boutiques selling new clothes were the most preferred outlets from which the respondents selected their clothing items, while the displays formed the most popular source of information concerning clothing. Clothing items worn by other people also formed another popular source from which fashion was copied. In conclusion, there is a lot of exploitation of clothing consumers by sellers in the liberalized market, which is based on the consumers' strong belief on imported items. It is also clear that economic liberalization has helped Kenyan Clothing producers to improve on the standards of textile products. It is, therefore, recommended that the Ministry of Trade and Industry, together with the KCO should constantly check that sales are conducted genuinely, and use these findings to sensitise consumers on the improvements on locally made items.Item A study of the training needs of quality control and production managers in clothing industries in Nairobi(2012-02-28) Oigo, E. Bosibori; Tumuti, D.W.; Mburugu, K. G.This study investigated the competencies and training needs of quality and production managers in large and medium size garment manufacturing firms in Nairobi. It also sought to know the relationship between the firm characteristics and problems they faced, and the relationship between the competencies and training needs of training managers. This information showed issues affecting the industry and proposed ways of dealing with them to improve the quality of clothing manufactured in Kenya. A survey of 35 garment manufacturers was done between June 1996 and April 1997, and in-depth interviews carried out with their quality and production managers. The data collected was analysed then summarized using frequencies and percentages. Most of the firms were large and produced uniforms or undergarments for sale in the local market only. The study found that those making other types of clothing were more likely to experience problems arising from the liberalization of the economy, although all the firms had problems with quality. All of the managers interviewed (13) said they combined the roles of Quality Control Manager and Production Manager but most of their duties involved production management rather than quality control. Fifty-four percent (seven) of the managers had worked for more than ten years in their present jobs and had formal training in subjects related to their jobs. Approximately half of them (46%) felt they did not need further training in managerial skills. All four managers with on-the-job training as opposed to formal training expressed a need for training in technical skills. On the basis of the findings, recommendations were made to the manufacturers to reduce the workload of their managers and take a more active role in purchasing high quality inputs. Technical institutes should develop their quality control courses so that they can conveniently be offered to the busy managers in clothing industries. The government needs to enforce legislation and institute policies to protect the clothing industry from unfair trade practices. This will enable it to revive and develop to its full potential, to cope with competition in a liberalized economy.