The Madder plant has been around since ancient times and was used for dying the cloaks of Libyan women in the time of Herodotus (5th century BCE). It was found in the linen of King Tutankhamun's burial chamber and in wools found in Norse burials. The cultivation of the madder and the use of its ground root for dying the complicated Turkey red process were know in ancient India, Persia and Egypt. By the 10th century it had spread to Asia Minor and into Europe by the 13th century.
Today there are over 13,100 species of Madder (from the Rubiaceae family) that can be found in the Mediterranean region, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The plants are generally characterized by whorls of lance-shaped leaves covered in clinging hairs and by small yellowish flowers that grow in clusters. But beware, this plant will take over unless you keep in contained in pots or raised beds. But it's the root of the plant that we use for the dye process.
Madder is a very complex dyestuff and can result in many colors. The madder root can produce colors from orange to strong reds to deep brown violets and almost black-browns. By manipulating mordents, Ph and temperature a range of shades can be obtained.
Here is a quilt in my collection from the 4th quarter 19th century (post civil war).
Some closeups of the individual blocks. Please note that the pink sashing is not a madder dyed color.
We will touch more on dying as we go through the year-so stay tuned!
My progress the past 2 weeks:
I've been working on Goal #10 Antique Wedding Sampler, but I'm not going to show you the pic just yet. I have just a little more to do and this one should be finished by the next post. But I do have an empty project tote! Any guesses on how long it's going to take me to fill it again.
In the meantime, I have prepped for
Goal #12 that I'm adding to the list. It is a Lori Holt quilt called Prairie Meadow. It was a Sew-Along on her blog
https://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/It was going great until it wasn't. I completed 6 blocks. I now have prepped the remaining 6 block backgrounds (16 patch)
and traced/cutout my Stitch and Wash ready to fuse to my fabric. I'll then glue and stitch on the machine. After the quilt is washed, the Stitch and Wash will disolve.
I needed some on the go handwork this month to do while sitting at the Dr. offices with Donnie. So I found this Crabapple Hill project that I had started. Just one little spot was done. I just have a tiny bit more to do on the inside and then some quick stitches on the border and it will be ready to frame and hang in the "hole".
My DH (dear husband) directs everyone that comes to see me down to the "hole". OK it sound as if it a dungeon, but I love my new room the "Hole". It's bright and cheery and has everything I want in a sewing room-for me anyway. It only took 45 years for me to get, but I LOVE IT 💖.
I'm headed to the laundry room to do some starching of these scraps. Hopefully I will be cutting out some Civil War Sampler blocks soon.
At the end of each blog post I will update you on my goal list. If there is anything you would like me to chat about, just post in the comments or send me an email: patchworkplusquilts@gmail.com
Stay Warm and Sew
Jan
1. Love Letters
2. Wool Tray Mat DONE
3. Prairie Days
4. Frosty Goes to Town
5. Christmas Lane
6. Civil War Sampler - prepping fabric
7. Threads of the Civil War
8. Anna's Baskets
9. Pillows - 9
10. Antique Wedding Sampler - Actively working on
11. Holiday Houses - 11
12. Prairie Meadow
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