How To Dye Yarn Silk With Lac? Natural Dyeing Process of Eri Silk - Textiles In Northeast India

Naturally dyeing yarn with natural ingredients, specifically Lac (or Laha in Khasi- thelocal language), is well-known in Meghalaya, India. Our women working with Muezart said, "Natural dyeing is one of our ways for survival, and it has been passed down for generations. Lac is one of the precious ingredients that we have been using for a very long time."
What is Lac?
Lac is a very tiny insect (Laccifer lacca) that is parasitic on individual trees found in our state of Meghalaya, India. This insect's secretion is traditionally used as a coloring agent for products like food, leather, Fabric, and even medicines. But in Meghalaya, the people cultivated Lac and cooked it into a dye bath with plant mordants to dye yarns for weaving different products.
Here's our process of dyeing with Lac or Laha (3 Kgs yarn batch):
For 3kgs of yarn, we need 30 liters of water and 3 kgs of Stick Lac into small pieces or chunks because, at the time of boiling, the sticky resin substance melts and sticks to silk fiber, thus damaging the material.
Step 1: To extract the dye, stick Lac is crushed into pieces but not into a powder form because, at the time of boiling, the sticky resin substance melts and sticks to silk fiber, thus damaging the material.
Step 2: Add warm water to the crushed pieces and use a muslin cloth to drain or filter the dye bath.
 
Step 3: Boil the Sohkhu leaves (Botanical name: Baccuarea Ramiflora, a local plant that acts as a mordant) and the Lac solution for 1 hour (You can use Alum as an alternative of Sohkhu leaves)
Step 4: Use a sieve to separate the Sohkhu leaves from the dye bath. This step is not needed if you are using Alum.
IMPORTANT: Remember to check the Ph level of the dye bath. Lac is water sensitive dye like cochineal, so take care to test your water and decide if you need distilled water.
Step 5: Let the dye bath cool down to 50° C/ 122° F before immersing the yarn.
FYI: Letting the dye bath cool down before placing the yarn in the bath helps prevent temperature shock that may damage the yarn. This will help maintain the strength, luster, and texture of the yarn.
Step 6: With a Ph of 7, place the yarn in the dye bath, reheat, and simmer for about an hour.
Step 7: Remove from flame and let it soak overnight.
Step 8: Rinse the yarn with cold water until the water runs clear, then remember to dry in the shade.
Your yarn is ready to be turned into something beautiful. Remember, the longer you soak the yarn in the dye bath, the richer the color will be.
Muezart is practicing natural dyeing without harming the environment and partnering with the villages to continue and preserve the traditional art of dyeing with natural dyes.
Muezart Shop:
Muezart India : www.muezart.in...
Muezart Worldwide : www.muezart.co...
#naturaldyeing #dyeingyarn #naturalcolorfordyeing #erisilkyarns #naturaldyederisilk #naturaldyedyarns #knittingyarns #weavingyarns #YarnsIndia

[@vivekkumargupta100]

Aise video ke liye thanks dekh ke achha lga india me aise v hota h...... Thanks 🥰🥰

[@MuezartEriSilkYarn]

aapake achchhe vyavahaar ke lie aapaka bahut - bahut dhanyavaad

[@reonprinters]

My name is Rishikant and i am from Manipur, i do natural dyeing. Love to visit u Guys and know more about Lac dyeing.. Thank u for the video 💜

[@MuezartEriSilkYarn]

Thanks, Rishikant! You can come visit us anytime. :)

[@vivekkumargupta100]

Ap log sach me bahut hi jada Hard working ho yaar

[@subratanandy2142]

This is so pretty. That deep hot pink will give any chemical dye a run for money.

[@MuezartEriSilkYarn]

Thank you! That is just of the many colors we have in our studio. We dye our yarns and fibers from plants and minerals only.

[@dahlo1841]

What kind of leaves do you use?

[@janhavidandwate1882]

hey love the content ❤️ I m a natural dyer from Mumbai do you guys supply dyes and silk fabric in wholesale

[@MuezartEriSilkYarn]

Hi Janhavi! We're very sorry we missed this comment of yours. At the moment, we don't supply natural dyes but we're thinking of launching limited stock dye packs. Yes, we supply Silk fabric wholesale but its Eri Silk not other types of silk.

[@MuezartEriSilkYarn]

email us: [e-mail]

[@alokekumar7073]

Kitne quantity me lac dye leni hai

[@fillingtechlife4379]

Yes mm

[@ishapandey1214]

Ye die mujhe kha or kaise online mil Sakta h plz someone tell me

[@MuezartEriSilkYarn]

Hi Isha, Kindly visit our website and check our products. Click the link below www.muezart.in/collections/all-products

[@alokekumar7073]

Kitna quantity me lacdye chahiye

[@Jigyas.com123]

Can I get the email id..for commercial details

[@MuezartEriSilkYarn]

Please contact us here- Call us: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Operating hours: Monday - Saturday: 9 AM to 6 PM