OHAZURUME - Unizik Journal of Culture and Civilization

African printed fabrics have been utilized as cloth wear globally. Several designs of wax prints, fancy prints, or super prints are produced now and then. These printed fabric designs are inspired by different things most especially the culture of those that adorn them. Some of them are produced in the industries while some are done manually. In this study, Akwete textile print samples were inspired by the woven pieces of the women of Akwete and produced by the researcher in the studio. This study is premised on the fact that since they are new, the users' views are highly important for its industrial production to aid their sustainability. This study’s objective is to produce some samples of Akwete printed fabric designs in the studio, construct some into wear, and seek the opinion of the potential users. A survey research design was adopted and a five-point Likert scale questionnaire with close-ended statements was administered to the respondents. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, photography, and observations were also adopted as research instruments. This questionnaire was administered to some staff and students in three institutions in Abia state because they were considered to be knowledgeable enough to provide the answers needed for this study since they are in Abia State where these woven textiles are fabricated. This is mixed method research; the results were analyzed using qualitative method and descriptive statistical tools of mean and standard deviation. One of the findings of this study reveals that the samples produced in the studio were appropriate and admired by those who saw them. This study summarily recommends that while the usage of the woven pieces should be highly encouraged, the printed versions from this studio practice should also be mass-produced in the industries to give Akwete-Igbo printed fabrics a desired name in the world of printed textiles.

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