[Sca-cooks] Puritans, was: Canadian Friends

[Gwynydd Of Culloden]

> -----Original Message-----
> From:  'Lainie
> I understand that they did have colored dyes, but that they were 'sad'
> colors- 'sad' dyes are a little muddier and deeper toned, IIRC from the
> addition of iron to the dyebath. I'm sure one of the dying folks on the
> list can elaborate. However, this is why their clothes were referred to
> as 'sad'- not because they were depressed.
>
> I wouldn't be able to take it- give me orange! and red! and bright
> yellow! None of these muted colors for me! Woo-hoo!

*laugh* This puts me in mind of a Quaker funny (if that doesn't seem too
contradictory) from a book called "Laughter in Quaker Grey".  To put this
into context, the origin of dark colours for Quakers had to do with not
wanting to follow fashion which dictated brightly coloured fabrics.

At a time when dark colours were in fashion, a Quaker woman went to a fabric
store to buy some material for a new dress.  Seeing that she was a Quaker,
the assistant brought out all the usual drab colours for her approval.
Looking at them, the Quaker cried out "take away those gaudy colours!  Bring
me plain scarlet!"

Gwynydd