MAKER:  Design and Create with Natural Dyes

Polly R. Piergiovanni

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Conference: 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Seattle, Washington
Publication Date: June 14, 2015
Start Date: June 14, 2015
End Date: June 17, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-692-50180-1
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Make It!
Tagged Division: Manufacturing
Page Count: 5
Page Numbers: 26.1104.1 - 26.1104.5
DOI: 10.18260/p.24441
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/24441
Download Count: 487

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Polly R. Piergiovanni Lafayette College

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Polly R. Piergiovanni is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Lafayette College. Besides chemical engineering courses, she teaches an engineering course to nonengineering students. Her current research interests include critical thinking evident in student writing and assessing learning in experiential learning activities.

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Abstract

MAKER: Design and Create with Natural Dyes Dyeing with natural dyes is a combination of science and art. The science dictates that a permanent bond requires a metal ion – a mordant – to bridge between the fabric and the dye. The art allows a multitude of colors. By varying the combination of dye and mordant, and the purity and concentration of each, a nearly infinite number of shades can be obtained. A course open to all students explored the history and technology of dyes and the dyeing process. Simple exercises allowed students to extract dyes, discover the colors obtained by combining different mordants and dyes, and note how fabric type contributed to the shade. Other laboratory exercises introduced resist dyeing techniques from Asia and Africa. For the final course project, each student designed and created his or her own silk scarf using the techniques learned in class. The scarves created by the students were outstanding and exhibited their willingness to try a new design. For example, Zach wanted to create the illusion of a branch of bamboo growing along the length of his scarf. He planned three different colors: a brown foundation representing the dirt, followed by yellow changing gradually to green and finally blue. He used Shibori techniques to design the bamboo branch, and used scraps of silk to determine the combination of mordant and dye to yield the shades he desired. The students kept the scarves they dyed, so photos of them will be displayed. However, the author dyed silk squares in various combinations of mordant and dye, and and crafted a quilt from the squares. The quilt demonstrates the range of colors available with four natural dyes and five mordants, as well as some artistic flair.

Citation
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Piergiovanni, P. R. (2015, June), MAKER: Design and Create with Natural Dyes Paper presented at 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/p.24441

TY - CPAPER
AB - MAKER: Design and Create with Natural Dyes Dyeing with natural dyes is a combination of science and art. The science dictates that a permanent bond requires a metal ion – a mordant – to bridge between the fabric and the dye. The art allows a multitude of colors. By varying the combination of dye and mordant, and the purity and concentration of each, a nearly infinite number of shades can be obtained. A course open to all students explored the history and technology of dyes and the dyeing process. Simple exercises allowed students to extract dyes, discover the colors obtained by combining different mordants and dyes, and note how fabric type contributed to the shade. Other laboratory exercises introduced resist dyeing techniques from Asia and Africa. For the final course project, each student designed and created his or her own silk scarf using the techniques learned in class. The scarves created by the students were outstanding and exhibited their willingness to try a new design. For example, Zach wanted to create the illusion of a branch of bamboo growing along the length of his scarf. He planned three different colors: a brown foundation representing the dirt, followed by yellow changing gradually to green and finally blue. He used Shibori techniques to design the bamboo branch, and used scraps of silk to determine the combination of mordant and dye to yield the shades he desired. The students kept the scarves they dyed, so photos of them will be displayed. However, the author dyed silk squares in various combinations of mordant and dye, and and crafted a quilt from the squares. The quilt demonstrates the range of colors available with four natural dyes and five mordants, as well as some artistic flair.
AU - Polly R. Piergiovanni
CY - Seattle, Washington
DA - 2015/06/14
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - MAKER: Design and Create with Natural Dyes
UR - https://peer.asee.org/24441
DO - 10.18260/p.24441
ER -