How to make Patchwork Easter Eggs Dyed with Silk Ties

As Easter approaches, it’s time to infuse your festivities with creativity and colour. While dyeing eggs is a cherished tradition, why not take it up a notch this year? Imagine beautifully patterned Easter eggs reminiscent of intricately woven quilts. Yes, we’re talking about how to make patchwork Easter eggs dyed with silk ties – a delightful and surprisingly simple craft that doesn’t even require boiling.

In my escapades of dyeing I am constantly switching it up to be more unique. These Dyes eggs do not use as much energy or constant watching. No dye tablets, dye packs, or other kind of dye; just some up-cycling & microwave

What can you use to Dye with?

Check you closets; perhaps you have a drawer full of old ties; Silk ones that you can’t seem to part with. Or, maybe the silk neckties are a special reminder of a loved one, like a grandparent or father? Well, here’s a permanent way of keeping them as a special artistic imprint. This will only work with Silk ties however so check the label. If you don’t have any there will be lots to choose from at thrift stores for very little cost.

To make the best use of the silk fabric take a few minutes to snip the stitching with scissors and take the lining out. This may work with other silk fabric like a blouse but I did not test them.

I am taking this dyeing to be more unique than the usual all-over print; I am making it like a patchwork quilt. Using a rotary cutter (optional) you can cut small strips quickly. Once cut into strips, those can be cut into squares or other small shapes. The sized depends on how fussy you’l like to make the patchwork.

Materials Needed:

• Clean Hollow (Blown out) eggs
• White vinegar (¼ cup)
• Water and bowl
• Wide soft paint brush
• Old Silk ties (in various colors and patterns)(scarves, blouses may also work)
• Scissors/ thread snips
• strips of flannel or cotton bandage, extra fabric pieces
• Plastic bags
• Tongs/oven mitts
• Cooking oil (optional) or gloss varnish

Prepare your Supplies:

To make emptying the raw eggs (blow out the whites and yolks) you can use a rubber baby nasal suction tool. I just used my own breath power. Using a sharp tool make a small hole on each end and blow out the eggs rinsing afterward.

Prepare ‘patchwork pieces’ by cutting the ties into small pieces. Cut the strips of cotton (about 1/2″ – 1″ wide, approx 18″long) and soak in a few cups of water with 1/4 cup vinegar added. (String & elastic can also be used to wrap the eggs.)

Step #1:

In my unique method instructions I do not wrap the whole egg in the silk fabric. That would always leave some section not printed well. My method involves the application of small pieces of the silk that is applied by brushing with water. The delicate silk pieces adhere by capillary action and only water. (see video)

Apply the silk tie fabric onto the eggs. The right side of the fabric (printed side) should be against the egg. Wet the egg with a brush (dipped in vinegar solution – 1/4 cup vinegar to about 4 cups water) so the silk will stick to the egg. It naturally stays put quite easily.

Work your way around the egg. The colour combination depends on your choices or could also be all one tie print. Since eggs are fairly rough the pieces do not slide around.

Step #2 Wrapping:

Take a strip of cotton from the vinegar solution, wring it out until not dripping and start to wrap the egg carefully trying not to disturb the silk. Criss-cross and pull as tight as possible. This wet fabric will provide the ‘steam’ for transferring the print.

I prepared a few at a time. If you want to add more pressure you can also wrap with some yarn or string but I did not see a need. It is just making sure that the fabric is touching the eggs. Vinegar does make the eggshell more acceptive of the dye as well, but do not put too much as the shell starts to dissolve.

Step #3 Prepare for Steaming:

Place all the silk-wrapped eggs in a plastic bag, twist and put in another bag. I also add some extra damp fabric around the eggs for assurance of ample moisture. (old flannel or cotton sheets work well)

Step #4, Heat & Insulate:

The heat process is from the microwave. I discovered that it is a great way to apply heat when Eco printing so I have adapted for these eggs (but reminder these eggs are hollow) Watch carefully as you heat in short time segments. If you see the bag puff up it is very hot (boiling inside) and stop the process before any steam escapes the bag (for safety reasons

With tongs or an oven mitt transfer the bag quickly under a blanket or towels. This insulation step is important as it will keep the heat for a long time, and not require watching. It also saves much energy! After about 1/2 hour or more you can repeat the process. The longer wait time the more the print will transfer to the eggs. I repeated 3 times between my usual easter activities…

Step #5 Discover the Magic Fun Part

The eggs can be cooled or unwrapped as soon as you can touch them. The pieces can print again but will probably be lighter. I do have some ideas for their use…

It is like magic and sometimes a bit surprising what results you get. Once you see how each of the ties transfer you can be quite creative. Perhaps you’d like to cut some shapes to create a pattern…

Maybe you will also make patchwork Easter eggs dyed with silk ties!

To finish the eggs can be wiped with a damp cloth but the dye is not on the surface, it has be absorbed by the shell so nothing wipes off. For a sheen rub a little vegetable oil onto the surface or you can varnish with an acrylic medium.

As you see, some ties print very strongly and some do not. That is what makes this method perfect as it mimics an old quilt! I also like that I am not tied to the stove to watch, and can leave them for as long as I like to insulate. No need to simmer in a pot, Much less silk is used since there isn’t large wrapping and rubber bands. There are no wrinkles in the print as the typical method…

This tutorial is my unique design and leaves much option for your own creativity… Please what your’s look like! Happy Making & Easter!