Madder
Rubia cordifolia
 
1 oz/28g
 
Madder is one of the oldest known botanical dyes, with its use going back thousands of years. Depending upon the fiber type and choice of mordant, Madder produces warm reds, burnt orange, and can shift to brick red with the addition of iron.  It is unique among dye plants as the plant must be at least three years old for the roots to fully develop its signature color palatte. 
 
Madder is not the strongest of dye plants, requiring about a 1:2 ratio of plant to fiber - multiple dips will help deepen the color. On the upside, however, the exhaust baths yield beautiful shades of pink. 
 
To prepare the roots, rinse first in very hot water while agitating - you are washing off some of the outer layer that can impart brownish-orange hues. You'll see it in the rinse water. Then spread out to dry thoroughly. Working in small batches, grind to a coarse powder in a (non-food) coffee grinder.
 
To prepare a dye bath, place your ground Madder root in cheesecloth or similar. Fill a dye pot with water, add the Madder, and heat to about 160 degrees for at least an hour - Madder will dull with high heat. Let cool. Remove the Madder and dry for future use. When dyeing, avoid high temps and leave the fiber in the bath while cooling to room temperature.