The Ancient red. It takes a minimum of three years to bring the red root of Rubia Tinctorum known as Madder, to maturity. Best grown in a large pot rather than directly in the soil, unless you enjoying digging.
Madder is known as an invasive plant with prolific tiny yellow flowers which later mature into thousands of dark purple berries. Click here to grow your own from madder seeds
Shades of red, orange and pink, can be acquired from the ground roots of the madder plant, depending on which way you chase the ph, up in alkalinity or down in acidity.
To extract colour place powder or chips in pan and bring to a gentle simmer for 30mins-1hr.
To boil Madder is to create brown, so gently coax colour into your fibre at a moderate temperature and do not turn the saucepan in a bubbling cauldron! Unless of course you want a red brick type brown?
Strain the madder water through a fine muslin to remove any particles which would get stuck on fabric or in yarn.
Return liquid to dye bath saucepan and warm through gently adding your chosen mordanted fibre.
Keep items in dye pot moving for the fist hour so as to ensure there are no air bubbles, and so dye takes up evenly, allow your dyeable to sit for 12-24 hours, stirring occasionally, depending on the depth of colour required.
Adding mordants to increase the ph will alter the shade from pink through orange, deep vibrant reds, to dark brick reds.
Quantity required depends on the weight of fabric (WOF) and can range from 30%-100% depending on the weight of fabric, fabric composition and colour required.
Best grown in a large pot rather than directly in the soil, unless you enjoying digging.Madder is known as an invasive plant with prolific tiny yellow flowers which later mature into thousands of dark purple berries. Click here to grow your own from madder seeds
50g & 100g packs available.
For wholesale please email george@bailiwickblue
Grown & prepared, in Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK
