Last year, when my friend Lea invited me to help make Easter eggs with her daughter, I almost laughed in her face. Everything at Lea's place—from the couch, to the tablecloth, to the cushions on her kitchen chairs—is white; it's about as dye-unfriendly as apartments come. But it turns out that this super-prudent (and creative!) mama wasn't planning on coloring her eggs in spillable pots of neon liquid—instead, she was planning on doing it dye-free, using silk ties she'd picked up for pennies at a stoop sale.
I'd never before heard of the "tie dye" egg method—but after spending an afternoon trying it out, I can vouch that not only is it completely mess- and hassle-free, the results look amazing. In fact, this weekend, I'm planning on hitting the flea market to pick up a few silk neckties for my own eggs. Want to give this technique a try? Here's how:
What you’ll need:
-Silk ties
-Eggs
-White rags (like an old t-shirt or sheet)
-Rubber bands
-Household Vinegar
What to do:
1. Cut silk ties into square pieces of fabric (large enough to cover an egg).
2. Cut even larger squares out of the white rags.
3. Place egg in center of a silk square, with the printed side facing the egg. Wrap fabric around the egg.
4. Place silk-wrapped egg on white square. Gather edges and secure the "sack" with a rubber band.
5. Place eggs in large non-aluminum pot. Fill with enough water to cover the eggs.
6. Add a few glugs of vinegar to the pot; bring water to a boil. Reduce heat; let simmer 25 minutes.
7. Use a slotted spoon to remove eggs from water and let cool before removing the fabric.
8. For more vibrantly colored eggs, wipe with a little vegetable oil once dry.
Gorgeous photos via The Little Red Hen.
