Three Teddies are all hand dyed mohair.

Capturing the

Rainbow

Mohair – Kick it up a Notch

An Introduction to Dyes

by Kathy Glenn

Why Dye?

When you look at the rainbow of colors that mohair suppliers offer these days, you might ask yourself, “Why should I dye my own mohair? Every color I could possibly want has already been done.”  

It is true that over the last 10 years, the mohair manufacturers and suppliers, following the artist’s suggestions, have created fabulous

colors for their product lines. 

Reds and Greens top left - Food Coloring top right - Kool Aid (1 pack, cold water) bottom left - Food Coloring, dropped bottom left - Kool Aid (3 packs, hot water)

Purples top left - Rit Dye - Aubergine top right - Dyna Flow Fabric Paint bottom left - Hair Coloring bottom right - Procion MX

Tans top left - Tea top right - Red Clay Soil bottom left - Cracked Pecan Shells bottom right - Coffee

However, artists and collectors are always looking for something out of the ordinary, something not everyone else will have, or something unique to one special creation. 

There is always going to be that left over piece of mohair with which you are bored.  Or, perhaps that the quality of mohair you want is not available in the color you want. 

Dyes can be the answer!

Dyes are used to create new colors,

alter existing colors, and add texture

and interest to fabrics. 

Color is what dyeing and patterning fabrics is all about.  Color is an emotional thing. 

We associate certain colors with specific emotions and how they make us feel. 

The study of color theory helps us understand color relationships and

why different color combinations are pleasing or disturbing to us. 

When bears “speak” to collectors, color

is a big factor.  A bear in baby pink fur

will not evoke the same emotions as

the same bear in brilliant fuchsia.

History

Dyeing fabric is an ancient craft and

for over a millennium, dyes originated from plant and animal sources. 

No source was considered too radical

to use; vegetables, berries, roots, flower blossoms, insects, and even crustacean shells were commonly used. 

A highly prized shade of scarlet was derived from dried bodies of pregnant

lice that lived on Mediterranean evergreen shrubs. 

It was so popular that in 1464, Pope

Paul II decreed that it be used to dye

the robes of the Catholic Cardinals.

Kathy Glenn dyeing mohair.

In 1856, a British student, William

Henry Perkin, inadvertently created

the first synthetic dye when his

attempt to synthesize quinine,

resulted in a brilliant purple stain. 

He secured a patent, quit school

and began to market and sell dye commercially.  Others quickly followed

and the textile industry was forever changed.

Types of Dyes

There are four major classifications of dyes; direct, acid, fiber reactive and natural dyes.

DIRECT DYES – The most well known

is RIT Dye. These dyes are widely available, economical and easy to use. 

Drawbacks include the fact they are not as wash fast as other types and tend to lack

the brilliance that can be achieved with acid and fiber reactive dyes. 

Heat is normally required to set the dye before use.

ACID DYES – Particularly recommended for wool, silk and other

animal fibers.  Sometimes called “protein dyes”. 

Kaleidoscope pic of acid dyed mohair

These dyes are not dangerous despite their name, which is derived from the need mix them with salt and an acidic medium to bond to the fabric.  Several common acidic mediums include: vinegar, citric acid and ammonium sulfate.  

Some dyes in this classification can be used with cold applications and never have to be heated, reducing the fabric shrinkage.  The Australian Earth Palette Acid Dyes are in this category.

FIBER REACTIVE DYES – Used specifically on cellulose fibers such as cotton, linen, rayon, and on silk. 

Fiber reactive dyes bond to fabrics in a unique molecular process, which ensures light, wash fastness and brilliant colors.  Procion MX is a popular brand

among home dyers. 

All fiber reactive dyes need an alkali activator/fixative such as Soda

Ash to prepare the fiber molecules to accept the dye.  These dyes

can usually be used at room temperature. 

Portly A gem at 5 inches tall, brewed from unusual short-pile string mohair, hand-dyed in bright stripes, large green suede nose and paws, glass eyes, cotterpin joints, plus a deeply abiding attraction to cookies!  $119 (NZ) plus shipping from Bear Essentials. Homebrewed Bears Leith Macdonald

Quilters use this type of dye for their creations. Bear Artists can use them to dye the cotton backs of the mohair without changing the fur color.

NATURAL DYES – Many common plants and trees can be used for dyes.  Numerous books are available on natural dyeing that detail which parts of the plants are used, as well as recipes for making natural dyes. 

The variety of colors you can generate from the same plant is quite amazing.  Roots, stems, leaves, berries and flowers from

the same plant, can each produce different dye colors.

Changing the mordant (a mineral salt, usually a metal) will change the colors

again.

Protein fibers take natural dyes well.  Due

to it’s molecular structure, silk will take the colors differently. 

Plant fibers dye well but take longer

to absorb into the fibers.

Kitchen Dyeing

Your kitchen contains many items that can be used to alter fabric color

with outstanding results.  Tea, coffee, bottled food colors, unsweetened

Kool Aid, nut shells, mustard, spices, vegetable cooking liquids and wine

can be used to shade fabrics. 

Autumn Autumn is made of sparse Schulte mohair hand-painted with Earth Palette dyes.  She has glass eyes, sculpted ultra suede paw pads, silk leaf collar with lucky golden acorn necklace and a red-orange hairbow.  She is 15 inches tall, softly stuffed with fiberfill and pellets and is jointed. Randi's Bears Randi Robinson

Rule of thumb:

     If it stains your clothes, try it! 

Normally, all of these dyes require heating the product with water and adding acid (usually vinegar) to set the color. 

Concentration is the key to depth of color.

One packet of Kool Aid produces a light

but brilliant color while leaving a white backing, whereas six packets of Kool Aid

will result in a deep brilliant shade with lighter color on the backing. 

Since mohair is an animal fiber and the

backing is cotton, both accept colors differently. Good note taking can result

in “recipes” you can reproduce time after time!

Have Fun

There is no better way to lose your fear

of dyeing than to just do it!

Like the fear of cutting into that first piece

of mohair, this too shall pass. Grab a friend and dye the afternoon away. Energize your creativity! Let your artistic juices and new ideas flow.