Fashion Design from Woven Fabrics of Community Enterprise Group

The objectives of this study were to 1) design fashion and bags from woven fabrics of the community enterprise group in Pitsanulok province 2) compare the quality of products based on the criteria used to measure community products classified by features, genders, level of income and 3) present a prototype from local woven fabrics in Pitsanulok province. The research procedure includes the sample group which incorporates 67 consumers in their working ages. Accidental sampling design was implemented. The instruments were modified and validated by the standard of community products scp. 196/2003 entitled handmade products from fabrics quality assured in terms of the product neatness, benefits, materials, and manufacturing processes as well as marketing possibility and career advancement. The results were that the fashion design and bags from the local woven fabrics proposed as the prototype had their own valued adding and could be able to market. As regards the quality assurance, the satisfactory level was good. Also, when the satisfactory level of the consumers towards the products were compared regarding genders and level of income, there was no significant differences found.


Introduction
Fashion Design from Woven Fabrics of Community Enterprise Group in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand is one of the government policies to promote and support the market of the community products.The products include clothes, home decoration products, gifts, and souvenirs.These promotion and products target both Thai and foreign markets.The products represent the uniqueness of Thai culture.The products themselves also tell a story of the traditional Thai ways of living.Arising from the government policy to tackle the poverty in the rural areas, the government initiated the one tamboon one product project which is known as OTOP project.The project was developed on the basis to increase the income for the house wholes and to elevate the standard of living of the people in the rural communities.The project has also emphasized the local uniqueness which embraces the production and management.The products are to present their indigenous ways of life and primitive cultures.Another aspect to put into consideration is how to add the value to the products.The value does not only refer to the income but also include local wisdom, culture, skills, nature of the community, peacefulness, ways of life, natural materials, crops, and many more.These are considered foundation or societal capital of the community.As a consequence, what we need to do is to strengthen our existing knowledge and to upgrade our products by applying technology and advance knowledge for the sustainability.
Pitsanulok province has a reputation for its woven fabrics.There are many techniques applied in weaving fabrics namely loomed textile in flower pattern; silk woven with the northeastern Thailand style in Tasakea subdistrict; basic handmade silk woven of Padang subdistrict in Chatikarn district; handmade cotton woven fabrics of Namprik Village; percussion loomed woven fabrics; synthetic silk woven fabrics; and lastly ikat woven fabrics of Nakron Thai district.Moreover, there have also been fabrics from synthetic silk or cotton patterned and dyed as designed of Neun Maprang district; colorful handmade synthetic silk interwoven with ikat of Wang Thong district.
In this study, the researcher conducted an in-depth study of the Thai woven community enterprise group at Ban Krang Taa Wau in Muang District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand.This village was selected in this study because of their potentiality in supplying raw materials to the production process.The researcher, therefore, came up with an idea to design local woven fabrics to response the consumers' needs; to suit all genders and different levels of income; and to be able to compete in a free market.

Research Objectives
(1) To develop product prototypes from local woven fabrics in Pitsanulok province (2) To compare the quality of fashion and bags based on the standardized criteria of community products from different groups of consumers according to genders and levels of income (3) To present prototype products from local woven fabrics in Pitsanulok province

Research Hypothesis
The differences in genders and levels of income affect the differences in standardized criteria of the community products.

Variables in the Study
Independent variables: designed outfits and bags Dependent variables: opinions of consumers towards quality and designed outfits and bags varied by genders and levels of income

Population and Samplings
Population: consumers who purchase the designed products from local woven fabrics at the local product distributing shops; 100 consumers a week Samplings: 67 working people interested in the products in Pitsanulok province; using an accidental random selection

Data Analysis
Statistics methods used: descriptive analysis, average (  ), standard deviation (S.D.); Hypothesis examined by test independent and One-Way ANOVA Assessment scales ranked at 4: 4= Very good, 3= Good, 2= Adequate, and 1= Need improvement

Data Collection Procedure
The researcher integrated the instruction of the Woven Fabrics design and fashion design course of the department Arts and Design at the faculty of Architecture of Nareasuan University.There were 12 students enrolling in this course.The students were to be at the scene to study how the fabrics were made.Then, the students were assigned to design and pattern the outfits and the bags.The students developed prototypes which were believed that the design would add the values to the products.Finally, the community used the design and pattern proposed as prototypes and produces their own products sold at the designated shops.

Terms and Definitions in the Research Study
Woven fabric product refers to the products made with handmade synthetic silk; the products made neatly from fine materials with fantastic patterns; the materials made solely in Pitsanulok province.
Quality of fashion and bags refers to general features which include: 1. Neatness-the neatness of the products should be outstanding, and no defect should be found.
2. Usefulness-the product should be practical.

Materials and manufacturing process
4. Marketing possibility and career promotion 5. Fineness, beauty, durability and appropriateness

Research Conclusion
According to an in-depth study of the Thai woven community enterprise group at Ban Krang Taa Wau in Muang District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, it was found that there were twelve members in the group and the group was led by Mr. Jareoy Deeleaw.The majority of the members were farmers.The researcher would like to present the research study in the o three main aspects which include: 1) the result of the prototype development from the local woven fabrics in Pitsanulok province 2) the result of the comparison of the consumers' opinions towards the quality of fashion and designs in mean scores and standard deviation scores according to features, genders, and levels of income 3) the product prototypes initiated by local woven fabrics in Pitsanulok province.
The analysis showed that the general features of the products were that the products were colorful; they came in  The process in details The designers have to search for the inspiration, background and conceptual framework in design.This is to identify the objectives; for example, the designers need to think of the direction of the fashion; the designers need to consider the needs of the consumers.Later in the process, the planning and design processes involve.
The designers finish with the sketch pattern after studying the top and trousers pattern including all cutting and stitching techniques.The final products include structure design and decorative design.All artistic elements also include lines, shapes, colors, knowledge about fabric and threads, a good match of pattern and material.
The overall manufacturing processes are as follows: 1. Finding inspiration process step involves the collection of data and the analysis of data to investigate the possibility in fashion design and to frame the main work.

Collecting and Analyzing Process
This step includes the development of sketch, pattern design, and delicate techniques on the fabrics and dressmaking.

Designing Process
This step includes the marking of the design process to make the idea concrete.

Prototyping Process
This step aims at communication.

Finishing and Final Process
This step includes a final touch and the completeness.
The followings are the examples of fashion design and bags.These products are made of woven fabrics from the community designated in this research project.There are 5 fashion bags and 8 attires.Table 2 represents the level of quality in fashion design according to the opinion of the consumers with different levels of income towards fashion design.It was found that consumers with an income of below Baht.10,000 ranked the neatness of the products first while consumers with an income of above Baht.50,000 focused on the practicality of the products.Moreover, consumers with an income between Baht.30,000-49,000 ranked the neatness of the products; fineness, beauty, durability and appropriateness; and practicality the top three important qualities.3 shows the satisfaction of the consumers towards the overall quality according to their different levels of the income.There were no significant differences found except for the practicality aspect.That is to say the consumers with 10,000-14,449, 30,000-49,999, and over 50,000 were different.The formers focused on neatness while the latters focused on the fineness, beauty, durability and appropriateness.

Discussion
The results of the development of fashion design from woven fabrics of community enterprise group in Phitsanulok province, Thailand were five styles of bags and eight sets of outfits.The bags made from the woven fabrics of the community enterprise vary from Bucket Bag, Duffle Bag, Backpack, and Fanny Bag to Wristlet.While the outfits which were inspired from the mythology range from Griffin Unicorn, Capricornus to Anubis.All of the products were designed and made properly reaching the standard criteria.According to the assessment from the consumers, it was found that the overall scale is good.The design product and fabric colour selection in the collection of researcher were corresponding with the color experts who are influenced in color design and trend in fashion world.The 10 colors trend were revealed and expected to be popular in fashion for spring and summer in 2016.For example, Peach Echo as orange trend color always a popular color in fashion industry trough out every seasons.This color give the sence of warm and friendly feeling.Iced coffee as brown trend color is the natural sence give us a soft and gentle feeling while Snorkel Blue is the trend color of energetic and cheerfully sence and also relaxing and independent feeling.
As regards the design of the outfits, Wongsighathong (2004) explained that in designing the outfits, there were both the constraints in the esthetic appeal and practicality aspect.The decent one should offer the wearer a feeling of comfort and workability.Chapoorum (2005) studied the achievement of the one tumboon (subdistrict), one product policy; a case study of silk fabric group in Na Pho sub-district and Don Kok sub-district.The results of the study were that 1) the gathering of the silk fabric group in Na Pho sub-district was longer, bigger and more powerful than that of Don Kok sub-district; 2) as regards the achievement, the products of Na Pho sub-district group were selected OTOP Product Champion with a five-star guarantee.This was because the products reached all criteria identified by the Thai government.The criteria included the legend of the group, the legend of the products, manufacturing processes, marketing strategies, the processing of the products, and the sustainability of the group.This also involved the business administration and the capital.This group was self-sufficient while Don Kok sub-district group, OTOP Product Champion with three stars, was not self-sufficient.Its main product was silk fabric.The Don Kok group still relied on the government subsidiary.Moreover, its production line could not respond to the demand of the consumers in time.The group needed to improve only on the production but also the marketing strategies and the processing.Boonla (2003) studied the marketing development for silk products.The objectives were to study the problems and obstacles important to the development in many aspects.This included consumer behaviors.The results were that in Bangkok metropolitan area, there were four main the problems and obstacles found.This included 1) the limitations of silk fabric products themselves; 2) the attitudes of consumers towards the brand image and reputation; 3) source of production; 4) channel of distribution; and 5) the ability of competition.Sriboonsom (1991) studied the effects of the economy and society on weaving occupation in Hnong Keun Chang Village, Tah Song Kon sub-district, Muang District in Mahasarakam province.The results were that 1) Hnong Keun Chang Village has been settled for about 300 years.The population believed in Buddhism and spoke North Eastern dialect.The main occupation is agriculture and part-time self-employment was weaving; 2) the government bureau and some private sections helped with the distribution after the group had settled for a long while; 3) the development of the weaving market led to a widespread access to both domestic and international weaving markets; 4) the villages gained more income from weaving; 5) the changes in life style resulted in the villagers' economy.That is to say they had more opportunities in creating jobs; they had chances to make more money.Thus, they had purchasing power.Moreover, there was less number of villagers migrating to the urban for jobs.All in all, the weaving group brought about fame, income, facilities and at the same time the more money villagers could make, the lower unemployment rate revealed.Surasieng et all ( 2004) studied the needs of labor skills for Thai fabric manufacturing and Thai material used products: a case study in Nan province.It was found that Thai fabrics were unique.To enhance the ability to compete in the global market, it was necessary that the weavers must be skillful and the clothes themselves must have a variety in their patterns and practicality.The fabrics from Nan province were recruited in this case study.This case exemplified manufacturing, distributing, change management as well as skilled weavers which were required for the prosperous future of this market, which made up to Baht 60 million each year.
In the past, the gathering of weaving group was found in the provinces where support was lack and knowledge management was unsystematic.The knowledge or information was transferred in the family or in the group orally.The majority of the products were copies and the marketing plan was not systematic.The distribution of the products was made through the middle man, considering an old-fashioned marketing method.The price was defined by the middle man, neither by the practicality nor the use of them.The exhibition was not well received.However, nowadays the marketing strategies for Thai fabrics have been modified to suit the need and community changes.There have been many distributing centers and selling points in many provinces.
To design fashions for competition, the makers need to plan well and forecast the possibility of the market.The consumers will be of the same group, working people and tourists.However, we need to be ready for the changes.We need to provide unique products with good quality and variety.The neatness, creativity, and practicality should go hand in hand.In addition, the government and private sectors should play roles in promoting the products, enhancing skills of the weavers, and transferring knowledge of such a kind from generation to generation systematically.The future competitors are still domestic competitors.The handicraft industry community in Thailand still has rooms for improvement and it is essential that all parties join hands and collaborate in strengthening Thai fabrics.

Suggestions
Thai fabrics should be promoted and artistically developed to be able to compete in a variety of markets ranging from the domestic to the international ones.However, according to the results of the study, many problems were found as follows: 5.As for time issue, a skilled worker usually takes a lot of time to finish a piece of fabric; the fabric is expensive.Price is also one factor deterring consumers from buying hand woven fabrics.Therefore, we should help promote them as well as offer them a workshop on foundation design.6. Knowledge transfer is limited in a certain groups of people or family.Thus, the community should organize a place where Thai fabrics can be kept and displayed.People, villagers, and weavers should gather here and transfer knowledge.A local wisdom or local expert should also play roles in transferring knowledge.The knowledge in weaving and Thai fabrics will be shared and extended.

Figure
Figure Figure 1

Table 1 .
The result in the quality of fashion dresses from 67 consumers by genders

Table 2 .
The comparison of the mean and standard deviation of the opinion of the consumers with different levels of income towards fashion design

Table 3 .
The analysis of variance of the overall quality levels according to levels of income