Traditional handwoven textiles: a case study of thermal comfort of Thailand’s traditional fusible and nonfusible linings

Abstract

Many Asian countries have made and worn their own traditional textiles; however, due to the rapidly changing influence of western culture, today’s young people prefer to wear modern clothes rather than clothes made using handwoven fabrics. In order to protect and support traditional textile communities/artisans, governments are making great efforts to preserve traditional textile communities. The purpose of this study was to measure the thermal comfort properties of selected handwoven textiles made in Thailand. The results showed no significant difference in terms of thermal comfort between handwoven fabrics combined with linings (fusible and nonfusible). The advantages of the fusible lining include giving support to the handwoven fabric structure, particularly along the seams, and assistance against fabric fraying along cut edges. The results yielded recommendations to weavers of traditional fabrics to optimize the comfort function of the fabrics when worn in traditional Thai garments.