ADAPTATION OF PUNCH NEEDLE EMBROIDERY AS AN ADDED SURFACE DESIGN ON AFRICAN WAX PRINTS FOR NIGERIAN FASHION

Abstract

Surface decoration is the outward decoration given to the fabric. According to Naik and Wilson (2009), surface designing refers to the external embellishment given to a fabric. They further defined it as a structural and applied design on any substrate. And mentions that there are countless varieties of decorations that are used to enhance the surfaces of fabrics but their techniques differ. The clothes and type of embellishment depend on the specific end-use. The most prevalent techniques used to enhance some textile materials to aid their consumer acceptance are dyeing, printing, painting, embroidery, weaving and industrial surface finishes. Each technique has its own characteristics for instance, dyeing is carried out to add colours to the fabric using dyes, printing is used to impress an image onto a surface using paint or ink (Sleigh-Johnson 2009), weaving is used to create structural and decorative designs (Naik and Wilson (2009), by combining basic and fancy weave structures. Varieties of woven designs can be achieved by blending different fibres, and sources. The other surface finishes without adding any colour produce some peculiar pattern effects which transform the physical appearance of the fabric. Another technique of embellishing the surface of the fabrics through threadwork is called embroidery. A lot of Nigerian fashion designers have used embroidery and other techniques in enhancing African wax fabrics to make them more appealing to wearers and buyers and also to reduce monotony.