Abstract:
The study evaluated the dye from indigofera arrecta plant leaves for silk and cotton fabrics
colouration. The effects analysed are colour fastness, colour hade and dyeing conditions. The
direct aqueous extraction method a used to extract the dye. The mordants which were used for
dyeing was; alum, iron ater, ash water and sodium chloride. The mordanting methods used
include; pre-mordanting, imultaneous mordanting, post mordanting and comb "ned pre-and post
mordanting.
In the control dyeing, ithout the use of mordants, average fastne rating were regi tered viz;
fo vashing (2-3), dry rubbing (4), wet rubbing (3) and light (4). The natural dye i therefore
substantive since it has average fastness even without mordant. The u e of mordants gen rally
impro ed co lou fastne for most mordants with post mordanting method regi tering the be t
resul s. Multiple colour ere produced with different mordant therefore the plant leave
possess a polygenetic dye. It was observed tha cotton fabric did not pick the dye.
Furthermore, it is found that the colour fastne of the dye on silk fibre increased with increa e 10
dyeing time. Si ilarly t Ie fa tness increased with increase in temperature till (850 C) and then
decreased, Optimum dyeing was observed at 60°C for a dyeing time of 35 minutes.
Considering dyeing condition and colour fastness, dye from indigo/era arrecta, u ing the direct
aqueous method, is highly applicable in the dyeing of silk fibre.
