Seeing Red: The Influence of Turkey Red Dye on Quiltmaking

The Museum's Great Hall will be hung with a selection of historic quilts featuring cloth dyed with "Turkey Red" - the non-bleeding madder or red dye introduced into Britain in 1785. Both plain and patterned Turkey Red cloth ultimately became popular in dressmaking and domestic items such as quilts. Perhaps the most successful evidence of the dye's non-bleeding character is found in old red and white quilts which have survived considerable laundering without damage.