Stitching Together Quality And Style: A Comparative Study Of Hand-Made And Machine- Made Ladies’ Woven Shawls

Abstract

Purpose – An attempt has been made to investigate and compare the physical and comfort properties of ladies’ woven shawls produced on hand and machine looms, in order to evaluate their quality.

Design/methodology/approach – The research methodology employed a comprehensive assessment of quality parameters, encompassing areal density, thickness, ends/picks per inch, thermal resistance and total hand value (THV).

Findings – The findings indicated that hand-made shawls exhibited significantly higher GSM and thickness compared to machine-processed shawls. In contrast, machine-processed samples showed higher ends and picks per inch (fabric density) than[1] hand-made shawls. No significant difference was observed in thermal resistance between the two groups. Notably, hand-made shawls received significantly higher subjective assessment scores for total hand value, indicating superior tactile quality and aesthetic appeal compared to machine-processed shawls. The softness of both types of shawls was relatively equal, offering a comparable degree of comfort and gentleness against the skin.

Originality/value – Fashion brands can collaborate with skilled artisans to create exclusive, high-quality handmade shawls. Fashion marketers and textile producers can leverage the superior tactile quality and aesthetic appeal of handmade shawls to drive business growth, customer engagement, and brand loyalty.

Research implications – In today’s competitive apparel market, quality stands as a paramount concern for companies striving to meet evolving consumer expectations and maintain a strong market presence. Textile manufacturers incorporate physical and comfort related attributes into an innovative product in terms of shawls to gain a competitive edge in the fashion market.