What is Turkey red fabric?

Turkey red is a color that was widely used to dye cotton in the 18th and 19th century. It was made using the root of the rubia plant, through a long and laborious process. It originated in India or Turkey, and was brought to Europe in the 1740s. In France it was known as rouge d’Andrinople.

Why is it called Turkey red?

For centuries, British and European dyers had been seeking a bright red dye which could withstand strong sunlight and frequent washing without fading, and knowing of the Turkey red process – so-called because it was thought to have originated in the Levant region – they were keen to reproduce it.

How is Turkey red made?

The Turkey Red process originated in China and was a foul, costly and complex process involving extracting red dye from the madder root. The process involved anamalising – that is adding urine, milk, dung, blood or egg albumen. The roots were washed, dried and ground into a fine powder.

When were red and white quilts popular?

Red and white quilts present very graphic designs. The most frequent patterns used were the “Double Wedding Ring,” “Irish Chain,” “Feathered Star,” and “Nine Patch.” The peek in time for these two color quilts was 1880-1930. In the mid 1990’s, a resurgence of red and white interest spread across the country.

What was the history of Turkey red fabric?

The success of the industry was such that during the 19th century the Vale came to be dominated by the production of Turkey red fabric; a vast network of mills and factories sprang up to accommodate the many processes necessary to the production of finished fabric, including bleaching, mordanting, dyeing, patterning and finishing.

Where did Turkey red cotton dyeing take place?

Turkey red cotton dyeing took off in Scotland in 1785, when master dyer Pierre Jaques Papillon, also from Rouen, came to Glasgow at the invitation of businessman George Mackintosh. Mackintosh went into partnership with David Dale and set up a dyeworks at Dalmarnock on the river Clyde in 1785.

What kind of dye was used for Turkey red?

Beginning in the 1740s, this bright red color was used to dye or print cotton textiles in England, the Netherlands and France. Turkey red used the root of the rubia plant as the colorant, but the process was long and complicated, involving multiple soaking of the fabrics in lye, olive oil, sheep’s dung, and other ingredients.

What was the significance of red in textiles?

Very expensive to dye, red fabrics were historically a sign of wealth and status. Red textiles from throughout the ages, like this 16th-century velvet fragment from Turkey, are on display at the Textile Museum in Washington, D.C. In some societies, the privilege of wearing red was reserved exclusively for the upper class.