GLOBAL

WOMEN
ENTREPRENEURSHI
P 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