Master of Science / Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Sherry J. Haar / The recent green movement has created strong interest in sustainable practices in the apparel and textile industry. Accordingly, natural dye usage has increased in popularity over the recent years, as well as alternative fiber sources such as bamboo. Because of the inherently poorer fastness properties of natural dyes compared to synthetic dyes, additional research on natural dyes and mordant agents is necessary to obtain the best colorfastness results. Many salts, called mordants, are used to help affix natural dyes to fabrics, called mordants, but the most common is potassium aluminum sulfate. However, it has been suggested that aluminum acetate can be a substitute, if not a better mordant than potassium aluminum sulfate for cellulose fibers. This study compared the colorfastness of these two mordants in three different amounts including 5%, 10%, and 20% per weight of fiber (WOF). Three natural dye extracts (madder, weld, and coreopsis), were used to dye seven test fabrics, including a bamboo rayon jersey, two bamboo rayon woven fabrics, a cotton interlock knit, two woven cottons, and a bamboo rayon and cotton blend interlock knit. Lightfastness and colorfastness to laundering tests were conducted, and Gray Scale ratings were analyzed using ANOVA statistical analysis. This analysis showed significant four-way interaction between all variables. Results supported aluminum acetate as a more colorfast mordant for cellulose fibers. This research was supported in part by Agricultural Research Experiment Station at the Kansas State University.

Master of Science / Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Joy Kozar / Global apparel supply chains require collaboration from many sectors, including consumers, retail firms, manufacturing firms and factories. The role of sourcing agents as a facilitating sector of global apparel supply chains was explored as part of this study. A quantitative analysis of import data from the U.S. Department of Commerce for four apparel categories revealed changes in import volume over the last 10 years for all major trade regions of the world. Qualitative data was also collected to further analyze how industry professionals perceive the role of sourcing agents in facilitating apparel production movement. Participants revealed that sourcing agents breakdown cultural and geographic barriers between U.S. firms and off shore factories, providing a competitive advantage to U.S. apparel firms by reducing production cost and facilitating production of complex designs, but lack any form of formal regulation.

Master of Science / Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Sherry J. Haar / Inspired by people and objects of the late 1950s/early 1960s, textile patterns were created to use as a tool in the education of children through play. Four themes were developed, with three main prints in each theme. These twelve prints had a coordinating print and solid colors designed, and were utilized in the development of paper doll clothing. Representing the look of Jacqueline Kennedy, the paper dolls feature a pearl necklace, sunglasses, and a brunette hairstyle. Fabric was also printed on using a home-based ink jet printer, and used to construct a garment for an 18-inch, three dimensional doll. The final outcomes were exhibited in a display window, with an interactive element for adults and children at the opening reception.