TRADE PROJEECT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This chapter consists of background to the problem, statement of the problem, objectives of the

study research questions, limitation of the study, justification of the study, significance and

definition of terms.

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The research was carried out in Subukia town tailoring in Subukia is majority dominated by

dressmaking as men’s clothes are more difficult to make as they consist of many details and a lot

of work as compared to dressmaking tailors and dressmaker mostly buy their fabric or rather the

material either in Nakuru town. Commonly used fabrics are satin, shifon, valuet, cotton and

polyester.

Subukia is a small town found along Nakuru, Nyahururu road located in Nakuru county Rift

Valley Province, they are densely populated. The research is intended to cover various shops of

tailoring and dressmaking.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM / LIMITATION

During the research there was some limitations which affected in one way or another.

This include

a) Rainy weather
Research was conducted during rainy weather conditions such as rainy in the morning and in the

evening which interfere with the study.

b) Limitation of resource

The researcher was limited with necessary resources to effective study.

c) Micro and small dressmaking face problem with respect to input supply, the most

important of which are inadequate supply of electricity, poor quality of raw materials,

high cost of capital, in adequate and unreliable supply of skilled labour.

Since dressmaking and tailoring business is the livelihood of many people in Subukia

town, identifying problems facing them will help in preventing a lot of this dressmaking

business from collapsing. This will help in finding poverty in the area.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

i. To find out the types of raw materials used.

ii. To establish the skill level of workers employed.

iii. To examine the challenges encountered by tailors and dressmakers.

iv. To identify the type of tools and equipment used.

v. To find out if the means of transport used in getting the materials into the business

could have affected the businesses.

HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY

The designers do not keep their promise to their customers.

IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

i. The research will give more knowledge to the researcher

ii. It will help the business owner to improve on weak areas.

iii. It provides information to the research in the area of Subukia and the employee’s

performance whenever they may require.

1.6 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

1. Fashion- it is made of dressing that is popular or acceptable by a group of people.

2. Tailoring- it is the name given to business men or women who sew fabric.

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter involves the systematic identification and study of documents containing

information related to research problem being involved.

2.2 LITERATURE REVIEW

The chapter will review various researchers in countries that are outside Kenya and in particular

in Subukia town.

This will help in making a comparison on those studies with current study.

Tailoring and dressmaking business occupy a prominent economic position in terms of trade,

employment and foreign investment in the economic development in Kenya and other countries

in Africa like Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa.

EFFECTS OF RAW MATERIALS ON DRESSMAKING AND TAILORING BUSINESS

Fabrics that was used in making garment will come in various quality and varieties. The

affordability of the fabrics to a tailor and dressmaker is a determined of the quality of product

he/she will produce at the end.

Good quality fabric makes good garment which will maintain staple dimensions throughout its

life.

Tailors and dressmakers in Kenya face a lot of challenges when it comes to supply of quality and

affordable fabric Kenyan textile and clothing industry should therefore provide suitable fabric to

generate good qualities.

HIGH COST OF PRODUCTION AND LACK OF TRANSPORT

From the findings of the study by Ikiara and Ndirangu’s (2004) cost of production experience by

dressmaker is very high for them due to high cost of electricity, poor infrastructure, and high cost

of transport, technology changes and stiff competition.

Ikiara and Ndirangu’s study among tailors and dressmakers in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and

Athi River reported similar findings.and Athi River reported similar findings. Also, the machines

and other technology which very few dressmakers had changed since installation because of lack

of finance including high interest rates on importing new sewing machines and that these

dressmakers are not allowed to import machinery duty fee.

Though new technology appropriate for dressmaking business are critically important on the

sector. Ikiara (2004) observed that dressmakers appeal to the government especially ministry of

gender and youth to help them providing the much needed financial assistance and facilitate

import of new machines.

Additionally though dressmakers acknowledged that the threat from china import is real issues

such as lack of good transport to the customer poor transport and communication systems, high
power cost all contributed towards making dressmaking business in Kenya very competitive

(Ngunjiri 2005).

CHALLENGES FACING DRESSMAKERS AND TAILORS

According to study carried out challenges facing dressmakers in Nairobi by Ikiara and Ndirangu

is revealed that over 70% of the respondents had neither diploma nor certificate level trading in

dressmaking. Ikiara and Ndirangu points out poor quality and inadequate supply of labor forced

local business people to hire highly paid expatriates from other countries. The average
dressmaker in Kenya requires about 2 years of training to attain the skills and productivity level

similar to workers in china which makes Kenyans dressmaking industry cannot afford as the

industry lack explicit human resource development plan (Bosubori 2000). Vital dressmaking

skills and design knowledge are identified to be a major lacking factor in this dressmaking sector

in Kenya and in particular in Subukia town.

Productivity improvement could be realized by building up the personal skills and capabilities to

run larger dressmaking business and by providing appropriate training and incentives to the

machinists.

Generally business failure are caused more by internal problems inside the enterprise than

outside generated problems.

Human resources, understanding of business financials, knowledge of customers’ needs and

most importantly logistics are very vital in running this local dressmaking business.

This local dressmaker should ensure that sewing processes such as stitching, neatening seams,

ironing and good fit are well done so that incase a garment is highly priced it is worth its cost.

The local industry should also ensure that all complete garments have a care label. Care label

provide vital information regarding the care of garments so that it is used for as long as possible.

Otieno (1990) cited that this as a reason for consumer rejection of locally made garments.

Once all the high quality standards have been set and achieved then it is the responsibility of the

Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to carry out strict quality control to ensure that these

standards are maintained by producers.

It is also noted that there is need to emphasize on development of competent by improving both

available training equipment and skills (Edwinson and Nilson 2009) the reputation for the

profession must receive a high level. Like ability is another attribute of success according to

Edwinson and Nilson (2009).

EFFECTS ON LACK OF MARKET ON DRESSMAKERS

Stanton (1981) viewed marketing in a societal since as an exchange activity intended to satisfy

human want. In a business sense as a system of business action designed to plan price, promote

and distribute went satisfying goods and services to market from stewards (1995) point of view

Marketing is the vehicle through which a business enterprise can achieve its short terms goals

and strategies to suit the current market.

Marketing is the process used to determine what product or service may be of interest of

customers and the strategy to use in sales, communication and business development. Huge

finance and time should be interested in the marketing strategies by these dressmakers in

understanding effective market research the necessary strategic marketing key element and the

effective marketing activities needed for effective marketing research to identify customers’

needs.

OTHER CHALLENGES FACING DRESSMAKING INDUSTRY

The preparation of fabric for sewing includes final inspection for the elimination or minimization

of defects and the application of any finishes which will facilitate later operations, including

sewing, pressing and garment coloration.

Lack of government support to the local dressmakers is another challenge on itself. Government

advice or information is not available to serve as a tool for business related information purposes.

This will play an important role in providing the small business owners (local dressmakers) with

information advice and counselling on matter that are essential for the survival and success of

their business.

Another challenge facing local dressmakers in Kenya is the fact that these small businesses in

traditional clothing section are not registered. Due to the reason how the dressmaking business

starts, assumption can be made that they are not aware of the role they play in the economic

development of the country.

CHAPTER THREE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter consist of target population, sample, size and sampling procedure, data analysis and

research instruments.

METHODOLOGY
This chapter describes how the study was conducted and the procedure that was followed in

conducting the study.

RESEARCH DESIGN

The research design that will use descriptive survey for the purpose of fastening information

from the area of study.

Descriptive research is a scientific method of investigation which attempts to describe ad

interpret those challenges faced by designers.

TARGET POPULATION

The population focused is of various tailors and dressmakers is one hundred and twenty in town.

The town was divided into five sections where every section will represent a street.

The researcher will target for designers in every street.

SAMPLE SIZE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

The sampling techniques for tailors and dressmakers was picked from each street paper that was

prepared where three indicates yes and indicates no.

Those who will pick yes was sample for every street to represent other tailors and dressmakers.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

The research instrument that was used is questionnaire. The questionnaire administered contain

both open and closed questions which was given an hand delivery to the targeted group.

PROCEDURE

The researcher will start by introducing herself to the senior manager who will then take her to

the tailors and dressmaker and was the one who will introduce the researcher to them before

giving them the questionnaire to fill.

DATA COLLECTION METHOD

INTERVIEWS

The researcher will ask questions face to face

Advantages of face to face questions

i. Accurate information.

ii. Direct interaction between researcher and the workers.

iii. Time saving.

iv. Less costly.

Disadvantage
 i. No record is kept for future reference.

OBSERVATION

Through watching and listening

Advantages

I. Collects data where and when the event is occurring.

II. Directly see what people do other than relying on what they say they do.

III. Does not rely on people’s willingness to provide information.

Disadvantage

I. Does not increase understanding of why people behave the way they do.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Set some questions to be answered.

Advantages

a. It is more comfortable responding to questionnaire than participating in the interview.

b. Reduces chances of evaluator buyers because of same questions that are asked at

respondents.

Disadvantages
 a. Sizes and diversity of samples was limited by ability of people to read.

b. Items may not have the same meaning to all respondents.

QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE DRESSMAKER AND TAILOR

I am Veronicah Nyongesa a students of Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology pursuing

certificate in Fashion and Design Course and I would kindly request you to fill this form for me
so that I could obtain information related to my area of study and the information given to be

treated as confidential.

Instruction

Please tick against the appropriate answer or blank space.

1) a. Gender

Male

Female

b. Age

20- 30 years

31- 40 years

41- 50 years

2) Comparing the demand for design in the last five years and currently what is the different

demand.

Increased

Decreased

Same

3) Are you able to serve your customers adequately and on time

Yes
No

b. If no what are the challenges

c. How do you handle the challenges in (b) above.

4. which type of fabric do your customers prefer

5) a. Do you think the machine comfortable with your prices?

Yes

No

b. If no, how do you handle price issues?

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter deals with analyzing of the result findings of the project and presented by tables, pie

charts.
1.2 RAW MATERIALS

According to the finding fabric made from cotton linen 40% are high demand for the interior

items while acrylic 10% is of low demand is illustrated in the table below.

Fabric used Number Percentage

Satin 8 40%

Nylon 4 20%

Polyester 6 30%

Rayon 2 10%

total 20 100%

Sales

10%

40%

30%

20%

satin nylon polyester rayon

4.3 MARKET SHARE

It shows that at the start of the year January to May 15% of the customers who were purchasing

tailor made clothes were few as compared to customers of September to December who were

purchasing garments made by dressmakers.

Month Number No of customers in %

Jan- April 3 15%

May – August 7 35%

September- December 10 50%

Total 20 100%

4.4 CUSTOMERS

The table below shows customers level of demand for various sold garments

Items Number Percentage

Skirt 5 25%

Suits 5 25%

Shirts 10 50%

Total 20 100%
 Customers graph
60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
Category 1

Skirts Suits Shirts

4.4 TRAINED PERSONNEL

Concerning the trained personnel 45% are skilled showing that there were high as compared to

20% semi-skilled personnel.

Illustration is as follows

Trained personnel Number Percentage

Skilled 9 45%

Unskilled 7 35%

Semi-skilled 4 20%

Total 20 100%
 Sales

20%

45%

35%

skilled unskilled semi-skilled

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter summarizes and gives comments on the project activities, results that were found.
5.2 SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS

The researcher found out that Subukia town was located at very prime business areas which is

very strategic for operation of tailoring and dressmaking. Most customers get to know that area

because of its nearness to the main road Nakuru- Nyahururu road.

The researcher found out that textiles clothing industry in the world offers a range of opportunity

entry levels of jobs for unskilled labour in developing countries.

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

From the research, the designers should lead the community to increase in designing of different

fits that are on fashion trending for customers so that they can increase productivity hence create

self-employment.

The institution dealing with clothing and textile should train the students.

Workshop scholarship study opportunities should be provided by government in teaching and

upgrading their skills so as to obtain more designers of profession. The tailor and dressmakers

should certify customers need and give them fair prices.

5.4 CONCLUSION

After conducting the research, the researcher was able to note some problems which affects

tailors and dressmakers.

Those problems include:

A. Very expensive fabric

B. Lack of trained and qualified personnel

C. Lack of finance to the expenses e.g cost of buying fabric, cost of buying sewing

machines.

This slows down the art of productivity.

Besides all these challenges quite a number of designers have changed their living standards due

to self-employment.

They had also created employment to new trained designers. There is need for the designers to

produce more quality garments using quality fabrics.