Madder fermentation experiment 2 was much more successful than the last.

I was perhaps a little over ambitious in deciding to go for purple using madder.

This what I did. Experiment 2 :

22.6.24 3000ml. water + 50 grams wheat bran + 150 ml. sourdough starter + c.100 grams wool put in a plastic container.

27.6.24 140 grams madder added.

I stirred the mix daily. While bubbles were continuous, when it slowed down, I added another tablespoon of wheat bran.

10.7.24 I fished it out of its container. This is what it looked like.

Spaghetti bolognaise! A lovely russet red. The gritty bits are the madder.

I was pleased. Delighted even.

Then, high on success, I thought I’d go for purple.

10.7.24 I put it back in its mix. 2tsp of iron sulphate were added.

14.7.24 The wool and water had changed to a darker hue. Wool taken out of container. Washed. Wood ash added.

Over 3 days I changed the wood ash and washed out the reds.

Unfortunately I didn’t end up with a lovely purple!

Brown with a purplish hue. I was hoping for a truer purple. Though it is a very similar colour to the purplish brown of many ancient Egyptian textiles.

A textile from Swansea’s Egypt Centre. Note the purplish brown. And if you want to know about the Egypt Centre, it is a wonderful place (I used to be the curator there), here is the link.

This is the link to my previous failed experiment. It may be worth a look if you want information on the background, literature, etc.