This study focuses on using agricultural waste that is coconut calyx (husk) in the form of natural dyes. An experimental research has been carried on cotton fabric using coconut calyx which is remains of coconut after consuming edible portion to extract dye from it. Fabric was dyed using two natural mordants pomegranate rind and lemon rind and one metallic mordant alum at 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% shade respectively by varying the pH values for development of colour palette. The rubbing, light and washing fastness of dyed samples were tested using standard methods. Spectro-photometric analysis of the dyed materials was carried out in terms of the CIELAB (L*, a* and b*) and K/S values with regard to dye concentration, dyeing temperature and dyeing time. The arrays of colour obtained were from brownish pink to dark brown. K/S values spectrophotometer analysis showed that pomegranate mordanted samples possesses good depth of colour as compared to alum and lemon rind mordanted samples. It was also observed that light and wash fastness properties were satisfactory except rub it from medium to fairly good. Further for the value addition of fabric researcher also made an effort to design textiles taking inspiration from wood grain with the different techniques in which mordants and dyes varies at their self pH.and visual assessment were taken. Application of wood grain print on textiles was achieved by direct hand painting. The result revealed that the effects created by painting were appealing and innovative.
