Fabric swatch development and experiment using natural dye : avocado skins and pits

Abstract

Due to the damaging effects synthetic dyes have on the environment and human health, natural dyes and mordant have been sought as alternative solutions. The purpose of this project was to produce a series of naturally dyed fabrics using avocado skins and pits and examine the color variations after incorporating a combination of different variables. Those variables included the use of 1) linen and silk fabrics, 2) room temperature and heated dye baths, and 3) soymilk, salt, and alum mordant. Once dyed the samples were washed to observe the color changes. A pilot test was conducted using 4”x4” samples to examine the feasibility of avocado as a dye as well as to test the developed procedures. Linen and silk fabrics were pre-mordanted using three different mordant, then dyed in either a room temperature dye bath or a heated dye bath. The actual test with large fabric (14”x 14”) was conducted using identical steps. The resulting samples were visually compared and evaluated by evenness of the dye application and color saturation. The findings present that fabric type, mordant type, dye bath temperatures and time spent dyeing all played a role in affecting the color outcome of the samples. The silk fabric samples displayed a more even distribution of dye and a darker saturation compared to the linen. Each of the three mordant provided a variety of colors ranging from yellow to burgundy. Soy milk presented the darkest colors while salt produced the lightest, and heated samples produced deeper concentrated colors than the room temperature samples. The project is significant due to the limited studies and projects regarding avocado dye and the resulted colors under various conditions. These findings and the color chart will be beneficial as a guide and sample to home dyers and designers.