Madder Natural Dye Extract
The pack consists of 25gms of Madder Extract and instructions.
Madder (Rubia tinctorium) is one of the most ancient natural dyes, in the root of this plant a rich red alizarin pigment is found as well as smaller quantities of yellow and red pigments.
Dye bath temperature and hard water are the secrets to releasing these different pigments.
When the temperature is kept below 60º-70ºC and the dye liquor alkaline, (In soft water areas add a little powdered chalk) then only the red pigment is released resulting in a purer red.
Raising the temperature above 70ºC produces brown-reds.
The Madder for this natural dye extract is grown in the Poitou-Charentes area of France, where Couleurs de Plantes have once more introduced its culture.
The samples in the image are all mordanted with alum and dyed in the same dye bath, they are from left to right:-
wool: wool: silk: wool: linen.