Dye: Cutch + Myrobalan
Color: Muted taupe, stable earthy tones
Color Fastness: High fastness on cotton, silk, wool with proper mordanting
A. Cotton Dyeing Procedure (Timeless Taupe)
Step 1: Mordanting
- Material: 100 g cotton
- Mordant: Alum 8% owf (8 g)
- Water: 2 L (M:L 1:20)
- pH: Neutral (~6-7)
- Temperature: 55°C
- Time: 45 minutes
Process:
- Mordant cotton in alum bath at 55°C for 45 minutes.
- Remove and rinse lightly.
Step 2: Dye Extraction & Dyeing with Cutch
- Dye: Cutch powder 12% owf (12 g)
- Water: 2 L
- Temperature: 85°C (simmer)
- Time: 60 minutes
- pH: Neutral to slightly acidic (~6)
Process:
- Simmer cutch powder in water for 45 min to extract brown tannins.
- Strain dye bath, cool to 80-85°C.
- Immerse mordanted cotton, dye for 60 min.
- Remove fabric, rinse cold.
Step 3: Myrobalan Post-Mordanting / Overdye
- Material: 100 g cotton (dyed cutch)
- Mordant: Myrobalan powder 10% owf (10 g)
- Water: 2 L
- Temperature: 60°C
- Time: 30 minutes
Process:
- Prepare myrobalan bath by simmering powder in water 15 min.
- Add dyed cotton, soak for 30 min at 60°C.
- Rinse lightly and dry in shade.
Result:
Myrobalan adds golden yellow hues, softening the cutch brown into muted taupe.
B. Silk Dyeing Procedure (Timeless Taupe)
Step 1: Mordanting
- Material: 100 g silk
- Mordant: Alum 6% owf (6 g)
- Water: 2 L
- Temperature: 50°C
- Time: 30 minutes
Process:
- Mordant silk in alum bath at 50°C for 30 min, rinse.
Step 2: Dyeing with Cutch
- Dye: Cutch powder 10% owf (10 g)
- Water: 2 L
- Temperature: 70°C
- Time: 45 minutes
- pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Process:
- Extract cutch by simmering 45 min.
- Dye silk at 70°C for 45 min.
- Rinse.
Step 3: Myrobalan Overdye
- Same as cotton but temperature at 55°C for 30 min.
C. Wool Dyeing Procedure (Timeless Taupe)
Step 1: Mordanting
- Material: 100 g wool
- Mordant: Alum 6% owf (6 g)
- Water: 2 L
- Temperature: 50°C
- Time: 30 minutes
Step 2: Dyeing with Cutch
- Dye: Cutch 10% owf (10 g)
- Water: 2 L
- Temperature: 65°C
- Time: 45-60 minutes
Step 3: Myrobalan Overdye
- 55°C, 30 min.
Explanation & Reasoning:
- Cutch is a natural brown tannin dye that provides rich brown tones with excellent fastness.
- Myrobalan adds yellow-golden hues, modifying brown to a muted taupe.
- Sequential dyeing (overdye) is necessary to achieve the soft taupe tone.
- Alum mordant enhances brightness and fixation.
- Temperature and time adjusted per fiber type to avoid damage.
pH neutral maintains tannin stability and fiber safety