On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about hand-dyeing and patterning fabrics with my guest, Malka Dubrawsky.

Malka Dubrawsky trained to be a printmaker, but while home with her children when they were young and without a press on hand, she began to work in fiber art. After several years exploring art quilts, she became interested in connecting with people more directly by creating functional items out of her own hand-dyed and patterned fabrics. Today she designs and sew quilts and pillows and creates hand-dyed yardage, all of which she sells in her online shop, A Stitch In Dye. Malka is the author of two craft books, is an instructor on Craftsy, designs fabrics for Moda, and will soon be opening a maker space in Austin, Texas, where she lives.

Clerestory by Malka Dubrawsky

Pillow covers by Malka Dubrawsky

We talk about:

• the difference between an art quilt and a modern quilt and what drew Malka to each
• the best supplies for dyeing fabrics and doing wax resist
• pulling color out of commercially printed fabrics and adding new color on top (so cool!)
• hiring an assistant and moving your studio out of your home
• exercise
• writing craft books
• how Malka developed a relationship with Moda and what it’s been like designing for them
• Malka’s relationship with her home country of Israel

Hand-dyed and patterned infinity scarves by Malka Dubrawsky

And, of course, I ask Malka to recommend some things she’s loving right now. Malka recommends:

• the Unorthodox Podcast made by Tablet Magazine (I also enjoy this podcast)
• the Headspace app
• Speak by Louisa Hall

Follow Malka on her blog or Instagram to see what she’s up to!

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Today’s episode is sponsored by Okan Arts. Okan Arts is an eclectic fabric shop in Seattle, Washington. Owner Patricia Belyea imports vintage Japanese yukata cottons and sells them by the yard to quilters, sewsters, and crafters. The narrow-width fabric, about 14 inches wide, is designed to make a classic kimono with the “winged” sleeves and shawl-collar. Hand-dyed yukata cottons are made in a multi-stepped process with a paper stencil and luscious dyes in small workshops. Check out Okan Arts in person if you’re in the Seattle area or shop for these very special fabrics online at OkanArts.com.

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Hand dyed fabric by Malka Dubrawsky

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