PUNCH NEEDLE

The aspect of textile design concept of hand decoration commonly referred to as the punch needle embroidery technique is relatively unpopular. This is because most textile designers particularly in Nigeria dwell mostly on dyeing and printing of fabrics. This also is attributable to the fact that fabric surface embellishment is basically restricted to the manual or mechanical process of decorating fabric surfaces popularly known as embroidery; these are being exploited at the expense of the punch needle embroidery technique. Despite, the upsurge in technological exploration of diverse methods and materials, the use of punch needle embroidery technique by most textile designers seem not to have been fully integrated into the realm of fabric decoration and embellishment, hence this identified gap, is the thrust of this research. The aim of this research therefore is exploring punch needle technique of hand embroidery works for interior decoration. In carrying out this research, the researcher adopted the exploratory method in attaining its aim and objectives In the execution of the practical aspect of this research, it was observed that punch needle hand embroidery has several potentials that are yet to be harnessed by textile designers in Nigeria. Furthermore, the research has revealed that punch needle technique of hand embroidery can make textile design have both utilitarian and aesthetic values. The research is significant because it has exposed the materials, tools and procedure in carrying out the punching technique. Punch needle technique of hand embroidery is an interesting aspect of textile Design and it is hoped that this research would be a useful reference materials to textiles students, fashion designers, art lovers and textile collectors