http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/88 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:37:48 GMT 2026-08-11T17:37:48Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12875 Title: Problems and Challenges Experienced by Home Science Teachers in Sri Lanka Authors: Radhika, S. Abstract: Home Science integrates the application of various science and humanities to improve the human environment, family nutrition, Home management, Child development, and Textile and Clothing. Since Home Science is a broad subject area, to develop this subject the teachinglearning resources should be increased and enhanced. In our country, due to the lack of awareness of the subject, the teachers who are involved in teaching Home Science have faced various problems and challenges in developing this subject at the school level. This study highlights the problems and challenges experienced by Home Science teachers in government schools in Sri Lanka. The sample was collected randomly and used a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data. The findings show that there are several problems and challenges experienced by Home Science teachers, most of the problems are related to resource availability for teaching-learning activities of Home Science. Therefore, the teachers face difficulties to improve Home Science education at the school level. The study found that nearly 70% of teachers faced difficulties in teaching textiles and clothing because of lack of teaching - learning resources. Further, the findings reveal that the teachers face challenges related to a wide range of syllabus, assessment procedures, challenges with instructional resources, and other general challenges such as lack of motivation, and lack of interest of students in the subject. These problems and challenges will affect the quality of teaching and learning activities at the school level. So the present study aims to find the problems and solutions to improve Home Science Education at the school level. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12875 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12874 Title: Examining the feasibility of regenerated bamboo fabric and its blends for home furnishings Authors: Radhika, S.; Thilakam, M.R. Abstract: Modern bamboo fiber is lauded for being a novel, green, environmentally friendly textile material with significant medical potential. Bamboo fibers are unique due to their ability to absorb moisture, antibacterial, and elasticity properties. Thus, it may be utilized effectively in the manufacturing of apparel and home furnishings. This investigation seeks to assess the viability of regenerated bamboo fabric and its blends for home furnishings. In accordance with market availability, regenerated bamboo woven and knitted fabrics were predominantly selected for this analysis. The fabrics used in this research were bamboo woven (100%), bamboo cotton lycra (67/28/5), and bamboo cotton fleece (68/32). These materials were selected for the study because they are part of a new and emerging category of textiles that are not already accessible in the local market. Fabrics performance properties have been determined by a number of tests, including those for flammability, absorbency, abrasion resistance, fabric thickness, drape measurement, stain resistance, pilling, tensile strength, and bursting strength. The results of the tests show that such fabrics have the necessary performance qualities to develop different home furnishing applications, which might have great potential to establish a new market in domestic and global levels. The purpose of this research is to determine whether bamboo-based materials have been used to make home furnishings. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12874 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12873 Title: Comparative Study of Interior Design and Non – Interior Design Students Preferences Vis- À-Vis Home Furnishings Authors: Radhika, S.; Thilakam, M.R. Abstract: This study was conducted among college students at Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore in the year 2023 to examine the design and colour preferences for home furnishings. The researcher selected 200 students from different disciplines to assess their preferences for home furnishings. One hundred samples were taken from the discipline of interior design, and another hundred from Home science Extension Education, English, and Tamil disciplines. The results recommended that the interior design students preferred light colours for curtains and beddings. The statistical analysis revealed that at a significance level of 5%, the selection of curtain had the highest value, 15.560. Personal tastes significantly influenced 63.5% of the students in their selection of the furnishings. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12873 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12872 Title: Assessing the Suitability of Bamboo Fabrics for the Development of Sustainable Fitted Sheets Authors: Radhika, S. Abstract: Sustainable and innovative materials that not only satisfy consumer demands but also enhance health and well-being are becoming more important to the textile industry. Bamboo has been brought into the spotlight as a replacement for petrochemical-based synthetic fibers, as it is obtained from a plant. Bamboo fiber offers a significant opportunity for sustainable textiles. The purpose of this study is to assess the suitability of bamboo fabrics for the development of sustainable fitted sheets. For this study, different blends of naturally dyed bamboo woven and knitted fabrics, bamboo woven (100%), bamboo cotton fleece (65.10/34.90), and bamboo cotton lycra (66.71/28.41/4.88) were assessed for their suitability for fitted sheets. The selected fabrics were dyed with natural plant dyes such as eupatorium and indigo dye. To assess the properties of the fabrics, a range of mechanical, chemical, and antibacterial tests was conducted. Specially, fabric thickness, weight, pilling resistance, abrasion resistance, bursting strength, water absorption, flammability, color fastness, stain resistance, and antibacterial activity tests were conducted by using ISO, AATCC, ATCC, and ASTM methods, and also the selected fabrics were evaluated visually by ten selected consumers. Knitted fabrics, in particular, are ideal for fitted sheets since they can tightly adjust to different mattress depths and stay tightly in place, and also should have good dimensional stability to maintain their shape after washing, and elasticity to fit snugly around the mattress. The evaluation results indicate that the knitted type of bamboo cotton lycra fabric exhibits superior performance across these metrics. The fabrics exhibited a thickness of 0.66 mm, a bursting strength of 383 kPa, and a color fastness rating of 3-4, and the wettability rate shows five seconds. Notably, the fabric demonstrated good antibacterial properties. The antibacterial test result shows the zones of inhibition of 17 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and 16 mm against Escherichia coli on the fabric. The findings of the visual evaluation among the fabrics evaluated, the bamboo cotton lycra fabric was perceived by consumers as soft and smooth with good elasticity and flexibility. The study results concluded that bamboo cotton lycra had excellent properties for developing fitted sheets for residential places. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12872 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z