Madder Dye – Cut or Ground
Rich Natural Reds for Dyeing | Wild-Harvested in Eastern Europe
Madder (Rubia tinctorum) is a renowned natural dye that produces a stunning range of reds—from warm oranges and rich brick reds to deep blood reds and fiery crimson tones. The final shade depends on multiple factors, including soil conditions, root age, mineral content of the water, dyeing temperature, and fibre-to-dye ratio.
Dyeing Tips:
- Mordanting: Avoid cream of tartar when mordanting cold.
- Soaking: Pre-soak fibres for at least 12h-24h before dyeing.
- Dyeing Methods: Madder can be used in both hot and cold dye baths. Adding chalk can help achieve better reds.
Colour Fastness: Excellent – Madder is known for its durability and deep, lasting hues.
Discover the beauty of natural dyeing with madder and create your own unique reds!
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Recipe for Wool: Downloadable PDF
Recipe for Plant fibres: Downloadable PDF
Also available as dye kit!
Madder Dye Kit for Plant Fibers: Available Here »
Madder Dye Kit for wool & Silk: Available Here »
Basic Madder Dye Recipe
(Adjust quantities as needed to achieve your desired shade. Water quality will influence colour result. Oranges instead of reds are often more likely)
Ingredients:
- 100g dried madder roots (soaked overnight and blended if possible, or use ground)
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100g mordanted fiber (Alum-treated)
- Use 50g of fibre for darker reds or 300g for lighter shades
- 7–10 liters of water
- 6g calcium carbonate (chalk) (optional, for enhanced reds)
Instructions:
- Soak the madder roots in the dye pot overnight.
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Gently heat to 65°C (149°F) and maintain for one hour for red tones.
- Higher temperatures will shift the colour towards brown.
- Strain the dye bath through a cloth to remove root particles.
- Add the mordanted fibre and the dye bag (optional, might result in uneven colour) back into the pot.
- Maintain a temperature between 65–95°C (149–203°F) for one hour to develop the colour.
IMPORTANT: The higher the temperature, the darker and browner the final shade.
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