Carrie's Madders

Designed by:  Carrie Quinn

Carrie's Madders, 1860-1880

Madder is a low creeping plant that will quickly cover an area of ground without a great deal of maintanence. The plant matures at fiveyears old, bearing small yellow/green flowers and berries. The berries are dark when ripe and can be used as seed stock to multiply the crop.  The part of the plant used for the dye is the tuber type root. The plant is pulled from the ground after loosening the soil, the leaves are stripped from the plant and the roots are dried out until they can be ground up into a powder and put in a pot with some water. This mixture is heated to extract the bright red dye. If a copper dye vat is used, the color will be brighter.

In the 19th Century, many reds, pinks, rusts, browns and purple dyes came from the root of the madder plant.  Madder-dyed cotton required mordants, especially alum and iron, and they were applied with a carved wood block or engraved cylinder. The fabric dried for a few days, setting the mordant for good bonding later. Mordants were also used to change the color of a dye. The amount of mordant used, or combinations of them, produced different colors when mixed with madder in the bath.  The Rebecca’s Madders collection is based on an antique quilt and quilt top from the private collections of Alexandra Schweitzer and Carrie Quinn, respectively. Both items have been certified and appraised as authentic pieces with fabrics ranging from 1860 – 1880.

Free Projects:

SKUs:

7615-4, 7615-7, 7615-14, 7616-7, 7616-8, 7616-14, 7617-3, 7617-4, 7617-7, 7618-7, 7618-8, 7618-14, 7619-7, 7619-8, 7619-14, 7620-7, 7620-14, 7620-18, 7621-4, 7621-14, 7622-2, 7622-3, 7622-8

6 comments

  • Comment Link Charlene Wolf Friday, 29 July 2011 23:37 posted by Charlene Wolf

    This is beautiful fabric but I can't find it anywhere. Can you help?

  • Comment Link Pam MacKenzie Tuesday, 14 June 2011 03:01 posted by Pam MacKenzie

    I love the mood of these fabrics. A bygone era captured beautifully.

  • Comment Link Judy Konnerth Saturday, 11 June 2011 17:25 posted by Judy Konnerth

    WOW, WOW, and Triple WOW. I am so proud of you Carrie and all of your collections. I love this one because it is nice and DARK. Can't wait to see it in your shop.

  • Comment Link carolenaughton@yahoo.com Wednesday, 01 June 2011 21:40 posted by carolenaughton@yahoo.com

    A wonderfully designed fabric line. Can't wait to see your next collection.

  • Comment Link Stephanie Matz Sunday, 15 May 2011 12:02 posted by Stephanie Matz

    Oh, wow. Congratulations, Carrie! I'm so proud that your shop is my home shop!! Woohoo! Beautiful, beautiful!

  • Comment Link Gloria Anzalone Sunday, 15 May 2011 11:30 posted by Gloria Anzalone

    Love all of the fabric cant wait to see them

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