Bleeding Madras

"Bleeding Madras" refers to a specific type of plaid fabric, also known as Madras checks, that's characterized by its unique colour-fading effect when washed. This occurs because the fabric is woven with vegetable-dyed yarns that naturally bleed over time, resulting in a vintage, blended colour look.

Woven in 60 X 40 handloom, with variations in stripes or solid squares, the fabric was known by many different names — Madras checks, real Madras handkerchief, George cloth, Guinea cloth or Bleeding Madras. It was called bleeding Madras as the colour would bleed each time it was washed and it would assume a new avatar, without looking faded. The warp was generally dyed in indigo, and turmeric was used for yellow. The indigo base combined with the yellow to produce green that ran on the weft when soaked in water, creating new shades and solid colours.

Natural Dyeing: The "bleeding" effect is a result of using vegetable dyes in the weaving process.

Handwoven: Historically, Bleeding Madras was typically handwoven on 60x40 handlooms.

Unique Appearance: Each piece of Bleeding Madras fabric is unique, with the color blending and fading slightly differently with each wash.

Popular in the 1960s:The fabric gained popularity in the 1960s, particularly in the United States, and became a symbol of Ivy League style.

Initial Defect: The "bleeding" effect was initially considered a defect in the fabric, but a marketing campaign cleverly turned it into a unique selling point.

"Guaranteed to Bleed": The phrase "Guaranteed to Bleed" became a signature phrase for Bleeding Madras, emphasizing the unique and evolving nature of the fabric.

Brooks Brothers: Brooks Brothers was a prominent retailer of Bleeding Madras, and their marketing efforts helped solidify its popularity.

No longer widely produced: Today, Bleeding Madras is not as widely produced, as most plaid fabrics are now dyed with modern, color-fast dyes.

Limited availability: Some specialized retailers still offer Bleeding Madras fabric, often by the yard.

In essence, Bleeding Madras is a piece of textile history that transitioned from a perceived flaw to a desirable characteristic, becoming a symbol of a specific style and era.
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