Red appears in nature as a signal of intensity, life, and presence. It doesn’t arrive instantly or easily. Instead, it builds slowly, through roots, resins, patience, and practice. When working with natural dyes, red feels earned—carrying warmth, history, and a quiet strength shaped by time and process.
In this blog, we explore natural red dyes used at HA Studio, with a focus one material: Iranian Madder
Why is red such a significant colour in natural dyes?
Across cultures, red has symbolised celebration, protection, love, power, and life itself. In natural dyeing traditions, red was often one of the most valued colours—not because it was abundant, but because it was difficult.
Natural reds are never flat or predictable. They shift with temperature, deepen over time, and reveal undertones you don’t always see at first glance. This complexity is what makes red so compelling in natural dyeing.
Natural reds come from plants and insects, each with its own temperament and behavior in the dye pot.
Iranian Madder
Iranian Madder - Rubia tinctorum
Used for millennia in textiles, pigments, and healing practices, its story is woven through ancient Egypt, the Indus Valley of Mohenjo-daro, Rome, and medieval Europe. Once cherished as a vital cash crop, it gradually faded from prominence with the rise of synthetic dyes in the late 19th century.
Madder is derived from the roots of the Rubia plant and has been used for centuries in traditional textile practices. It is known for producing a wide spectrum of reds, ranging from soft pinks to deeper, earthy reds.
The colour is extracted by slowly simmering the dried and powdered roots in water, allowing the pigments to release gently over time. Temperature control is crucial—too much heat can dull the shade, while a slower extraction brings out depth and clarity.
Madder is naturally warm-toned—often leaning towards reddish, orangish, or peachy hues rather than a sharp red. With patience, it can also produce delicate, pale pinks. We’ll explore Iranian Madder in much more detail in a dedicated article soon.
A gentle reality check
Not all red shades behave the same way.
Some shades are more lightfast than others. Some soften with washing. A colour that looks bold today may mellow over time. This isn’t a failure of the dye—it’s part of its nature.
Understanding these limitations helps us work with the material rather than against it.
Conclusion
The idea behind this blog is to introduce people to natural dyes and their spectrum of colours in a simple and approachable way. Alongside this, I’m writing individual articles that will dive deeper into each material—its process, behaviour, and limitations.
All natural dyes are special, and I deeply respect them for what they offer. At the same time, I believe it’s important to speak honestly about their cons. This blog is a space where we’ll continue exploring natural dyes and their properties. Next blog on natural dyes is about the colour GREEN! Hope to see you as a visitor again
Lots of flowers
Rishi <3