Madder ~ Natural Dye Results

Natural Fiber Results with Madder Root

Madder Root, earthy giver of ruddy reds to orangey-earth-browns (beware to not overheat if you want to stay in the reds), is a long-time favorite of new and experienced dyers.

Madder gives gorgeous, rich red color to protein (animal-based) fibers and slightly more muted rusty pink tones to cellulose (plant-based) fibers. Mordants, like Alum, ensure the color will last while also brightening it a bit. Iron shifts it, adding a deep grey layer of depth to make a moody rich red-grey shade.

Check out the results below for more variations.

MADDER ~ SAMPLES

Below, Madder shows in rich and rusty to bright, bold reds on protein fibers of wool and silk.

Below, two Silk samples:

pre-mordant of Alum + Madder, and

pre-mordant of Alum + Madder + a dip in Iron afterward.

And lastly, below, Madder shows a gorgeous forest brown on cellulose fibers of bamboo, cotton and cotton velvet.

Notice that the weave structure of each has a great effect on the final color results as they interact with our eye.