Dr. Divya .R

The increasing environmental concerns associated with synthetic dyes have led to the exploration of sustainable alternatives in textile processing. The present study focuses on the development of macramé garments using cotton yarn dyed with natural colourants obtained from Rubia tinctorum (madder) and Indigofera tinctoria (indigo).The dyeing process was carried out using alum as a mordant at different concentrations to examine its influence on colour depth and fastness properties. The dyed yarns were then utilized in macramé construction to create garments using traditional knotting techniques. A natural fragrance finish derived from Michelia champaca was applied to enhance the sensory and functional characteristics of the developed products.The performance of the dyed yarns was evaluated through pH analysis, colour fastness tests, antimicrobial assessment, biodegradability study, and skin irritation test. The results indicated satisfactory fastness properties along with improved functional performance and skin compatibility. The fragrance finish also demonstrated acceptable retention over time.The study concludes that the combination of natural dyeing and functional finishing can be effectively used to produce eco-friendly and value-added macramé garments suitable for sustainable textile applications.