Thursday, April 1, 2010

Silk Dyed Eggs


Months ago, my neighbor, Mrs. Betty, told me about an egg dying technique called silk dyeing. After some additional research on the internet, I would love to show you how to do this super cool egg decorating method.

Go to your local thrift store and peruse the men's ties and ladies blouses for 100% silk fabrics. The slinkier and darker, the better. Stiff silk (like dupioni) do
not transfer color very effectively.

Here are the items you will need for this project:
Eggs
Silk
Scissors
White Cotton or Muslin (an old clean bed sheet that you do
n't mind cutting up works well)
String or Embroidery Floss
Pot
Water
Vinegar

Cut up your silk into large squares. Pull the center seam out of the ties to open them up. You should be able to make 2-3 eggs out of each tie.

Wrap your silk as tightly as you can around your egg and tie closed.

Cover the silk with a square of muslin, and tie closed.

Pour a 1/4 cup of vinegar into your pot of water and bring to a boil. Gently place your covered eggs into the pot and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

Drain eggs and rinse in cool water. When cool to the touch cut the
ties and carefully unwrap your eggs.

The paler eggs were from "stiffer" silk. The more vivd eggs came from slinky soft silk.
This is one of my favorites! It's a tulip from a women's blouse.

Lookin' Good! And so fun! Also try them with Blown Eggs!

Jump in and make some silk dyed eggs!



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