Rethinking Macramé Instruction: A Mathematical Approach to Sustainable Cord Usage in Textile Education

Purpose: This study proposes reframing Macramé instruction within Textile education to enhance both the practical and theoretical dimensions of the curriculum, with a particular focus on sustainability. Methodology/Design: Research suggests that traditional Macramé teaching methods have remained...

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Main Authors: Fatimatu Hajia Ibrahim, Boakye Antwi, Karim Azumah, Issah Mohammed Seini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals – Ghana 2025-06-01
Series:Fashion and Textiles Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.itfpgh.com/ftr/article/view/71
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author Fatimatu Hajia Ibrahim
Boakye Antwi
Karim Azumah
Issah Mohammed Seini
author_facet Fatimatu Hajia Ibrahim
Boakye Antwi
Karim Azumah
Issah Mohammed Seini
author_sort Fatimatu Hajia Ibrahim
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: This study proposes reframing Macramé instruction within Textile education to enhance both the practical and theoretical dimensions of the curriculum, with a particular focus on sustainability. Methodology/Design: Research suggests that traditional Macramé teaching methods have remained largely unchanged, often relying on estimation and trial-and-error techniques for determining cord lengths. This lack of standardisation contributes to inefficiencies in material use and instructional delivery. To address these challenges, this study introduces a mathematically precise formula for calculating cord lengths, replacing traditional guesswork with a structured and reproducible approach. By enhancing measurement accuracy, the proposed method minimises material waste, optimises resource utilisation, and supports sustainable design practices. A combination of descriptive and inferential statistical analyses was employed to evaluate quantitative data collected from participants. Findings: The results revealed statistically significant improvements in student engagement, motivation, and overall learning outcomes post-intervention. The findings underscore the need for improved instructional resources and methodologies to enhance teaching effectiveness and sustainability in Textile education. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that integrating mathematical precision into Macramé instruction can foster innovation and efficiency in craft-based learning. The overall results (p < .001) indicate significant improvements in engagement and motivation following the intervention, reinforcing the effectiveness of a structured instructional approach in Macramé education. Practical and Social Implications: The study offers practical implications for tertiary institutions considering Macramé as a formal course of study. By providing a standardised approach to cord length calculation, it equips both instructors and students with essential skills applicable to textile and fibre arts courses. This aligns with the broader emphasis on sustainability and innovation in Ghana’s Textile education sector. Originality: This study presents a novel, mathematically grounded approach to Macramé instruction that simultaneously enhances precision, reduces material waste, and supports sustainability. It is the first of its kind to rigorously quantify the instructional outcomes of such an intervention within a textile education context in Ghana, offering scalable, data-driven strategies for integrating sustainability into craft education curricula.
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issn 2665-0983
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher The Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals – Ghana
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series Fashion and Textiles Review
spelling doaj-art-d4bfabd51cfb4b86bf4496a03b8198512025-08-20T03:32:45ZengThe Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals – GhanaFashion and Textiles Review2665-09832025-06-01610.35738/ftr.v6.2024.19Rethinking Macramé Instruction: A Mathematical Approach to Sustainable Cord Usage in Textile EducationFatimatu Hajia Ibrahim0https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1105-6900Boakye Antwi1https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6931-9195Karim Azumah2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3266-5536Issah Mohammed Seini3https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3439-9904Department of Textiles Design and Production, Faculty of Creative Art Technology, Tamale Technical University, Tamale, Ghana.Adjen Kotoku Senior High School, Accra, Ghana.Department of Art and Design, Faculty of Creative Art Technology, Tamale Technical University, Tamale, Ghana.Department of Statistical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Tamale Technical University, Tamale, Ghana. Purpose: This study proposes reframing Macramé instruction within Textile education to enhance both the practical and theoretical dimensions of the curriculum, with a particular focus on sustainability. Methodology/Design: Research suggests that traditional Macramé teaching methods have remained largely unchanged, often relying on estimation and trial-and-error techniques for determining cord lengths. This lack of standardisation contributes to inefficiencies in material use and instructional delivery. To address these challenges, this study introduces a mathematically precise formula for calculating cord lengths, replacing traditional guesswork with a structured and reproducible approach. By enhancing measurement accuracy, the proposed method minimises material waste, optimises resource utilisation, and supports sustainable design practices. A combination of descriptive and inferential statistical analyses was employed to evaluate quantitative data collected from participants. Findings: The results revealed statistically significant improvements in student engagement, motivation, and overall learning outcomes post-intervention. The findings underscore the need for improved instructional resources and methodologies to enhance teaching effectiveness and sustainability in Textile education. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that integrating mathematical precision into Macramé instruction can foster innovation and efficiency in craft-based learning. The overall results (p < .001) indicate significant improvements in engagement and motivation following the intervention, reinforcing the effectiveness of a structured instructional approach in Macramé education. Practical and Social Implications: The study offers practical implications for tertiary institutions considering Macramé as a formal course of study. By providing a standardised approach to cord length calculation, it equips both instructors and students with essential skills applicable to textile and fibre arts courses. This aligns with the broader emphasis on sustainability and innovation in Ghana’s Textile education sector. Originality: This study presents a novel, mathematically grounded approach to Macramé instruction that simultaneously enhances precision, reduces material waste, and supports sustainability. It is the first of its kind to rigorously quantify the instructional outcomes of such an intervention within a textile education context in Ghana, offering scalable, data-driven strategies for integrating sustainability into craft education curricula. https://journal.itfpgh.com/ftr/article/view/71Knotcraftteaching and learningtextile educationcordmacramé
spellingShingle Fatimatu Hajia Ibrahim
Boakye Antwi
Karim Azumah
Issah Mohammed Seini
Rethinking Macramé Instruction: A Mathematical Approach to Sustainable Cord Usage in Textile Education
Fashion and Textiles Review
Knot
craft
teaching and learning
textile education
cord
macramé
title Rethinking Macramé Instruction: A Mathematical Approach to Sustainable Cord Usage in Textile Education
title_full Rethinking Macramé Instruction: A Mathematical Approach to Sustainable Cord Usage in Textile Education
title_fullStr Rethinking Macramé Instruction: A Mathematical Approach to Sustainable Cord Usage in Textile Education
title_full_unstemmed Rethinking Macramé Instruction: A Mathematical Approach to Sustainable Cord Usage in Textile Education
title_short Rethinking Macramé Instruction: A Mathematical Approach to Sustainable Cord Usage in Textile Education
title_sort rethinking macrame instruction a mathematical approach to sustainable cord usage in textile education
topic Knot
craft
teaching and learning
textile education
cord
macramé
url https://journal.itfpgh.com/ftr/article/view/71
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