100% fine 19-micron Merino wool. Beautiful and clean combed top.
Excellent true bright red, on the blue side rather than scarlet-orange.
PRODUCT of ITALY, from Dyeing House Gallery.
Dried roots of Rubia tinctoria, ground but not into fine dust. We have been once again been able to source true Madder, not Indian Madder.
Use on protein or cellulose fibres. Pre-mordanting recommended. A classic dye, giving dramatic reds, brick-reds to orange and coral. Use at 50-100% WOF (weight of fibre) for medium shades.
TO USE: simmer in water below 185°F for 30 minutes. Cool overnight, then repeat simmer and strain. Add more water and enter pre-mordanted fibre. Hold below 158°F for one hour. Higher temperatures may produce browns rather than oranges or reds, so try to avoid bringing to a high simmer or boil. Ground madder is much easier to work with than the whole dried roots..
Light and washfastness: excellent.
Vibrant chili-pepper or tomato, leaning either towards scarlet or red, depending on what you combine it with. Dyed 30 micron Corriedale wool top from Ashford of New Zealand.