GLOBAL WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH

FASHIONABLE HANDICRAFTS

AUTHOR OF THE PAPER :

Mrs. Selva Arthy.R,

CAD Instructor in Fashion Design,

Department of Costume Design & Fashion,

G.Venkataswamy Naidu College,

Self-Financing Courses,

Kovilpatti-628 502.

MESTA FIBER –

CREATING A NEW ERA

IN

HAND CRAFTED JEWELRY

COMPLEMENTING

FASHION TRENDS

• Textile fibers fulfill so many purposes in our lives.

• The use of fiber for textile purposes is one of the oldest and traditional arts followed in India.

• Some of the fibers were known and used in the earlier years of civilization as well as in modern times; other fibers have acquired varied degrees of importance in the recent years.

• There is a change observed in the trend of production and consumption of textiles and apparel during the last two decades that is the resultant of increasing awareness and general consciousness of preserving/conserving the ecology.

• Therefore there is need to review and revive the utilization of the underutilized natural resources to yield environmental friendly products and processes

MESTA- An Intro • Popular in the western

world as KENAF.

• Known by various names in India such as BIMLI,DECCANHEMP,GOGU,CHANNA,AMBADI,SUNKURA etc.

• The fiber of MESTA is genus of Hibiscus and family Malvaceace

MESTA- An Intro

• Mesta is one of the allied fiber of jute and shows similar characteristics.

• Mesta is extracted from phloic bast of the stem of Mesta plant.

• Mesta is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant.

MESTA- ADVANTAGES

• (i) Mesta is potentially profitable crop that is not in world surplus.

• (ii) It provides as a domestic resources, the raw material for industrialization.

• (iii) It can be grown on uplands providing a greater cash return than other crops.

• (iv) It requires less labour than jute and can be produced more cheaply.

• (v) The fiber is one that is used in varying amounts in all countries.

MESTA- CULTIVATION AREAS

• Mesta is cultivated for its fiber in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia,

United States of America, South Africa,

Vietnam, Thailand, parts of Africa, and to a small extent in south-east Europe.

• West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Tripura, Orissa, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. Other states grow HC types over small areas, mostly for home consumption.

MESTA- CLIMATE &SOIL REQUIREMENT

• Soil for the Mesta crop is prepared in much the same way as in the case of jute. Mesta grow on a variety of soils, including new and old alluvium soils. The rich loams give the highest yield, but acid soils are not suitable without amendment.

• Climate for Mesta should be warm and humid . Heavy, continuous rains and low temperature are harmful

MESTA- USES

• Engineered Wood, • Insulation, • Clothing-grade Cloth, • Animal Bedding, • Packing Material, • Bags, • Paper, • Environmental Mats,• Fiber Boards Etc.

MESTA- CULTIVATION METHODS

• Mesta is normally sown by broadcasting method or line sowing has been advocated.

• Treat the seeds with any fungicide to prevent the attack of diseases.

• A spacing of 25 to 30 cm between rows and 7 to 10 cm between plants is recommended for good yields.

• A sowing depth of 2.5 to 3 cm is maintained for good germination.

• Both organic and inorganic fertilizer is important for proper plant growth.

• A fertilizer dose of N, P and K is recommended for higher fibre yields.

MESTA- HARVESTING • Harvesting time is very important

in bast fiber crops• The best time to harvest Mesta for

fiber is when 50 per cent of the plant population is in flower.

• Delayed harvesting give more fiber, but of coarser quality.

• Harvesting is done normally by cutting the plants close to the ground with the help of sickle.

• A proper stage of harvesting gives higher yield as well as better quality of fiber.

MESTA- EXTRACTING FIBER

• After the harvesting, the plants are sorted out according to the thickness of stems.

• These bundles are kept standing- in the field for two or three days for shedding of leaves.

• These plants are retted when water is available or can be decorticated and the ribbons may be retted in less volume of water.

MESTA- CHARECTERISTICS

Mesta when compared to Jute

• is shorter, •a little less flexible, •stronger, •contains about 15 percent

moisture •more lustrous and •more durable.

MESTA FIBER-CREATING

A NEW ERA

IN HAND CRAFTED

JEWELRY

MESTA- DYEING• Mesta fiber possesses good

affinity than cotton with direct dyes due to the presence of lignin.

• Mesta fiber is immersed in the direct dye bath at 600c and gradually temperature is raised to boiling point and dyed for 45 minutes.

• After dyeing the sample is taken from the bath, washed with cold water and dried.

MESTA- TWISTING & BRAIDING

• There are only two basic ways for using the fibers to make a cord: braiding (or plaiting) and twisting.

• Finger-twisting methods and leg (thigh) rolling method are used for twisting.

• To braid is to interweave or twine three or more separate strands of one or more materials in a diagonally overlapping pattern.

HAND CRAFTED JEWELRY COMPLEMENTING FASHION TRENDS

• Jewelry is something that we all take fancy for and are inspired to make it an essential component of the wardrobe.

• Wearing a jewelry is probably the most popular way to adorn oneself.

• Jewelry constitutes an important role in making a fashion statement; after all, the glittery, vivid reflection appeals to every eye.

BLOSSOM SET

BUTTON ROSE SET

MARIGOLD SET

SHELL FLOWER SET

SUNFLOWER SET