Description
Dried and ground root of madder root (Rubia tinctorum).
Madder has been used as a dye for more than 3000 years. The oldest known madder dyed textiles come from Egypt, and date to about 1350 BC. The plant originates in present day Iran, but spread to all the known world in antiquity.
Finds in York show that the vikings used madder dye. Only as synthetic dyes became common in the 20th century did madder loose most of its importance. It is still important for dying oriental carpets.
Madder is one of the natural dyer’s main dyes, as it gives red and coral tones by itself, red-browns with indigo and orange with plants that dye yellow.
For a clear red, use equal amounts of madder root and alum mordanted wool. Use rainwater or other soft water to bring out the reds. The dye bath can be reused several times for orange and coral afterbaths.
