Macrame Craft:A Potential Source of Income Generation

Macrame is a form of textile-making by series ofknots rather than the typical way of weaving or knitting. It is a wonderful way of expressing creativity, personal style and individuality by creating designs through combinations of knots. This knotting technique can be used for producing many diversified products like decorative items, jewellery, fashion accessories such as belt, bangle hanger, hand bag, shoe bag, shrugs, foot wears, candle holder, bottle holder, vertical garden plant hanger, wall hanging, cushion covers, curtains etc. Thus, the present study was undertaken to develop the partition curtains using Macrame technique and assess their consumer's acceptability. Selected five knot combination designs comprising of double half hitch knot, half knot, flat knot and popcorn knot in different combinations were used for development of designs for partition curtains. Total thirty designs of partition curtains, were created in CorelDRAW 12 software. As per the preferences of experts five designs of curtain were selected and five partition curtains were developed through Macrame technique using selected designs, cost of each curtain was calculated separately including cost of raw material and labour charges. The developed Macrame curtains were got assessed from thirty consumers on different parameters using three point rating scale. The cost of developed curtains ranged from Rs. 1203/- to 1507/-. The factors responsible for variability in the total cost of curtains were the cost of cords, beads and labour charges involved in preparation of curtains. The results indicated that the developed Macrame partition curtain were found highly appealing in terms of design, knot combination and overall appearance as indicated by weighted mean score values above (2.33). Consumers highly appreciated the developed curtains in relation to being attractive and unique, suitability of Macrame technique, materials used and selected knot combination for development of partition curtains. The developed designs maintained the beauty of macrame technique, as per trend and had good market potential. Majority of the respondents reported that cost of developed curtains was appropriate. The women both from rural or urban backgrounds have leisure time, which can be productively and creatively utilized if indulge in learning and making of Macrame articles. Hence, this art form can help them in using their leisure time and even generating income.