Featured Artist : Gail Callahan | Kangaroo Dyer

I was dragged kicking and screaming to dyeing. The lovely yarn I wanted to use for a weaving project was available only in a natural color. I began dyeing with great trepidation, and now, after modest success, I will dye any animal fiber in sight. After discovering the joy of dyeing, I feel that anyone can learn simple techniques, dye any color, and appreciate the joy of creating their own yarns. I have developed a concept of a “color grid” to help others understand how a project comes together, what brings it to life, and makes it exciting; no matter what the medium. I dye yarn and fabric as the Kangaroo Dyer and at www.yarn.com for Webs, America’s yarn store. The book, Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece, provides clear instructions on the creative dyeing process.

The majority of the items I purchase from Dharma are not yarn and fleece. Any protein fiber, fabric, or yarn that comes from sheep, alpaca, goat, llama, cashmere or silk can be dyed using the techniques described in Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece. The beauty of silk is that just about anyone can wear it; and the same applies to dyeing silk - anyone can dye it.

People are reluctant to dye for many reasons, but the response I continually get after people read my book is that they feel they can do it too. A good starting point is to dye some silk scarves. Elle Décor Magazine featured my hand dyed silks. 
Dharma has silk “blanks” in a vast assortment of types and sizes.  I prefer the Crepe De Chine Scarves and Silk Satin scarves.

I also dye lengths of silk fabric, mainly the Habotai and silk gauze for the Nuno felters, who make beautiful garments using the hand dyed silks as the base for their projects. I use the acid dyes (the scary acid is vinegar!), which you can also get from Dharma. Silk takes these dyes beautifully. If I am disappointed in the outcome of the first dyeing experiment, I dye the silk again, often several times until I am satisfied with the colors. You can continue to dye the scarf until it is black! Several dye layers creates deep rich colors.

www.kangaroodyer.com