Dyeing Red

I spent the day in my studio dyeing churro wool a deep dark madder red to use in my next rug. Madder, Rubia tinctorum, is an ancient red dyestuff used in many traditional rugs and tapestries. It is the only light-fast and wash-fast red dye that can be grown in the Chicago area. The plants need to stay in the ground for 3 to 5 seasons, after which the roots are dug up, washed, dried and ground to a powder. When you want to dye with madder, you soak the ground root for several days. It’s a long process, but well worth the effort to get beautiful warm red colors.

Pamela Feldman

Madder growing in my dye garden

at the North Park Village Community Gardens

Madder plant and roots

Ground madder soaking




Churro wool dyed with madder

For more information about natural dyeing, check out the online journal that Pamela publishes, called the Turkey Red Journal.  If you're interested in learning how to work with natural dyes, Pamela is teaching a great four day workshop coming up this Spring at Lillstreet.  Registration is open now.