Dye: Very diluted Pomegranate rind or Myrobalan
Color: Cream-grey tones, very pale and soft
Color Fastness: Good lightfastness when fixed properly; moderate wash fastness
A. Cotton Dyeing Procedure (Chalk)
Step 1: Mordanting with Alum
- Material: 100 g cotton
- Mordant: Alum 8% owf (8 g)
- Water: 2 L (M:L 1:20)
- pH: Neutral (~6-7)
- Temperature: 60°C
- Time: 45 minutes
Process:
- Mordant cotton to prepare fibers for better dye uptake and fixation.
Step 2: Dye Bath Preparation
- Dye: Pomegranate rind or Myrobalan powder, very diluted (3% owf, 3 g)
- Water: 2 L
- pH: Slightly acidic (~5.5-6)
- Temperature: 80°C
- Time: 30 minutes (gentle extraction)
Step 3: Dyeing
- Transfer mordanted cotton to dye bath at 60-65°C
- Time: 20-30 minutes (shorter due to dilution for pale shade)
- Stir occasionally for even uptake
Step 4: Rinse & Dry
- Rinse with cold water gently to avoid removing delicate color
- Shade dry
B. Silk Dyeing Procedure (Chalk)
Step 1: Alum Mordanting
- Alum 8% owf
- 50°C, 40 minutes
Step 2: Dye Bath
- 3% owf pomegranate rind or myrobalan (very diluted)
- 80°C, 30 minutes
Step 3: Dyeing
- 60-65°C, 20 minutes
Step 4: Rinse & Shade Dry
C. Wool Dyeing Procedure (Chalk)
Step 1: Alum Mordanting
- Alum 7% owf
- 50°C, 40 minutes
Step 2: Dye Bath
- 3% owf pomegranate rind or myrobalan
- 80°C, 30 minutes
Step 3: Dyeing
- 60-65°C, 25 minutes
Step 4: Rinse & Shade Dry
Explanation & Reasoning:
- Very dilute dye concentration achieves the pale creamy grey tone of Chalk.
- Alum mordant increases fiber affinity and color durability without darkening.
- Slightly acidic pH helps stabilize tannin compounds without damage.
- Lower dye time prevents deeper color buildup.
- Rinse gently to preserve delicate dye film.
- Shade drying prevents sun bleaching of pale colors.