No abstract

Stinging nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) is a cellulosic plant fiber which is abundantly available in the upper regions of Himalayas. The stem fibres are pliable which are used to weave or knit fabric. This fiber is very strong, but rigid and inextensible. This has restricted its usage in handmade textile products only. In order to process this fiber on a range of textile machines for development of a variety of products with enhanced performance, the fiber needs to be strong, flexible and extensible. This study was aimed at to increase the fiber tenacity by giving chemical pre-treatment. The effects of various experimental parameters, such as chemical concentration and time on tenacity of nettle fibres were studied. In the study, the chemical pre-treated nettle fibers were examined for their mechanical characteristics and compared to untreated fibers (control sample). The untreated fiber was less flexible and less extensible. A pre-treatment resulted in increase in tenacity and elongation at break. The increase in tensile strength was found to be 5.46 g/den from 3.84 g/den (as in case of control sample) and elongation increased to 3.33% from 1.66%.

:The dried ribbons of Sesbania aculeata (Dhaincha) plant were retted by chemical and biological retting methods. In first chemical retting method, the fibres were treated with the combination of EDTA and NaOH whereas in second method pretreated with HCl followed by NaOH; In biological retting method both the stagnant and running water methods were utilized. The retted fibres were tested for physical properties such as, moisture content and weightloss. The percentage weight loss was found to be more in case of chemically retted fibres owing to the enhanced digestibility of lignocellulosic material by the alkali. Contrary to this, biological retting showed higher moisture content due to the presence of non cellulosic matter. Overall, the properties exhibited by Sesbania aculeata fibres obtained after 15 days of stagnant water retting was comparatively good as compared to other retting methods in terms of weight loss and moisture content.

The Indian folk arts with printing and embroidery play important role in creating new designs. Escalating demands of consumers requires modification in the fashion industry with respect to design, colour, style and technique.So an attempt was made to develop a design pool using folk art of Uttarakhand (aipan) for applique work. This also provides the opportunity to use the adapted traditional motifs on textiles and to preserve the beautiful traditional folk art. Aipan motifs were adapted for center design, border design, and buti design. Total thirty motifs / designs were developed keeping in mind their suitability for articles like bags, pencil purse and mobile holder. All the developed designs were subjected to visual evaluation for selection of two best designs in each category by the panel of thirty judges to find out the suitability of the developed designs for appliqué work. Thus total six motifs were selected for preparation of the five arrangements for each article. Four final selected arrangements with appliqué work were prepared using different embroidery stitches (slip hemming, couching, buttonhole and chain stitch). Plain red poplin and left-out fabrics were used to prepare articles. Finally articles were prepared by using selected arrangements and these prepared articles were highly appreciated by the consumers.

In the present study weed plants i.e. Lantana camara, Solanum nigrum, Eupatorium adenophorum, Tridax procumbens, Parthenium histerophorus, Sida acuta, Ipomea cairica, Rumex nepalensis, Eclipta prostrate, Girardinia diversifolia, Erigeron bellidioides, Bidens pilosa and Athatoda vasica available in hilly as well as Tarai regions of Uttarakhand were collected, dried and powdered. The powdered dye materialswere extracted in distilled water. Subsequently dyeing of wool and silk fabrics was carried out. It was found that various plants like E. adenophorum, R. nepalensis and B. pilosa gave acceptable colour on silk and wool fabric. Therefore some weed plants can be used for textile dyeing which will provide a scope for management of weed plants as well as safety of other useful indigenous plants