Vegetable dyestuffs and alternative colours were tested of the carpets of Ayvacık (Çanakkale) region

Natural dyeing, which was abondoned about fifty years ago in Ayvacık district of Çanakkale was brought to life with application of DOBAG Project (Natural Dyestuff Research and Development) in the region in the 1980's. Eventhough many natural dyestuffs are present in the region, the project was limited with madder (Rubia tinctorum), reseda (Reseda luteola), daisy (Anthemis sp.), valonia cup (Quercus sp.) and gall nut. The purpose of this thesis is to present new dyestuff alternatives to the people of the region by finding out the natural dyestuff used in Ayvacık region carpets, mordanting techniques, dye prescriptions; and making out trials with the alternatives in the botanical layout of the region. This thesis consists of three parte: In the first part; geographic location and history of Ayvacık district, development process of carpet weaving in th region, stuff used in weaving these carpets, technical, design and color specifications of these carpets are explained and plants used in dyeing of the yarn of the carpets, mordants and 71 dyestuff prescriptions given by the people of the selected 14 pilot villages are presented. Also botanical structure and growing environment of the 89 dye plants present in the region of which usage is unknown by the people, parts of these plants used in dyeing and colors got by different mordants are described and shown as tables according to the chemical and botanical structure of the dye stuffs of which they consist of. In the second part; 19 dye plants growing in this region, of which 1 in our country and 13 in the world are never used in dyeing before, are presented; and 75 color trials made on these woolen yams are given with their color fastness values to light and washing. In the third part; unique and classical carpet designs created by using the carpet motifs of Ayvacık region are presented.