Madder
(Rubia tinctorum)
Madder
(Rubia tinctorum)
Madder (Copyright RHS)
An evergreen perennial with long, dark green spreading stems and small, star-shaped yellow flowers appearing in July and August, followed by green berries which turn red then finally black. The roots are a source of red dye and the plant is still cultivated in parts of Europe for use as a medicinal dye
Dye colour: Red
Dye source: Roots
Flowering: July - August
Other common names: Dyer's madder
How to extract the dyes:
Place the premordanted yarn in a pot with 8 L lukewarm water. Allow to soak thoroughly.
Add the madder roots into the same pot.
Heat the dye bath to +55 °C, to obtain the brightest red colours.
Or heat to +80 °C to acquire deeper red hues.
Stir the skein occasionally in the dye bath for an even colouring.
Leave the yarn to cool down in the pot with the roots.
After dyeing, gently shake off the roots from the wet yarn.
Rinse yarn thoroughly with water
For more information about the dyeing process:
Natural dyes for education and colour experimentation