Browsing by Subject "colour fastness"

Garden Lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus), classified as an invasive species in Finland, poses a significant threat to biodiversity by negatively impacting native meadow plants and butterfly populations. This thesis explores the utilization of lupin flowers as a natural dye for dyeing merino wool yarn. Experimental research investigates the effects of dyeing conditions on hues and examines the wash and lightfastness properties of the dyed yarns. Blue and violet lupin flowers were utilized as dye sources in the study. The assumption is that dyeing with lupin flowers may not yield a permanent colour due to the degradation of anthocyanin pigments in sunlight. Yarn samples dyed with four different methods underwent standard wash fastness tests using both alkaline standard detergent and pH-neutral detergent. Lightfastness tests were conducted on both washed and unwashed samples, and results were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results indicate that lupin flowers produce blue colour on wool when using fresh flowers at a low dyeing temperature. Turquoise hues are achieved with fresh lupin flowers at a high dyeing temperature. Dried flowers and using the dye bath again both result in a muddy brown shade. All dyed samples exhibited moderate lightfastness and good wash fastness. Furthermore, in samples washed with a pH-neutral detergent, the hue remained visually consistent, while in samples washed with an alkaline standard detergent, the hues changed. The study provides a perspective on craftivism, where utilizing Garden Lupin as a dye becomes part of invasive species control. Since the plant is an easily accessible source of dye, it would be interesting to expand the research and thoroughly examine the plant's potential uses as a natural dye.