Easy Silk Tie Easter Eggs (Step by Step Guide)

Learn how to Decorate, Dye or Color your Easter Eggs by printing on them with Silk Ties

What a clever way of making gorgeous and especially unique Easter Eggs by printing on them with beautiful silk ties? I don’t know who came up with this idea but it has become a super popular way of coloring Easter eggs.

Personally, I have been on kind of an Easter Egg dyeing kick lately. This is my favorite Holiday and there are just so many fun ways to decorate them!

You have the standard Paas dye tablets and decorating kits, natural vegetable dyes, melted crayons and shaving cream (I still have to try that one).

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When I was a kid, all we had were the Paas dye tablets and kits or we made natural marbled Easter eggs with onion skins. That’s all we ever did.

Well, these days the sky is truly the limit, isn’t it? Crafters and Makers way more creative than I am have come up with so many fun new paint techniques, decoupage, wrapping, crackle painting and making tie dye eggs.

It turns out that you can also transfer the colorful patterns on men’s 100% silk neckties to the eggs with this fun printing process.

What exactly are Silk Tie Easter Eggs?

Quite simply put, they are eggs where the dye and dye pattern from a 100% silk necktie has been transferred to the eggshell by simmering in boiling water.

I am not sure what the chemistry is that makes this process work … however, I do know that silk is a protein fiber which is dyed with acid dyes.

And, since egg shells are also made of protein, it makes sense to me that the dyes would then transfer.

If you have a better explanation for why the silk ties print on eggs, I would love to know!

How to dye eggs with silk ties (step by step)

Wrap the Eggs with Silk Ties

First, using your fabric scissors, cut the silk ties and the scrap fabric into squares, large enough to wrap the eggs completely.  7 to 8 inch squares should work fine.

Next, place one of your eggs in the middle of a square of the silk fabric. Wrap the fabric tightly around the egg.

Then, take a length of thread and secure the bundle at one end.

Important! You want to make sure there is good contact between the silk and the egg.

Now, you will take that same egg and wrap it a second time with a square of your scrap fabric. Tie off as before.

Repeat the above steps to wrap all of your eggs in the silk and the scrap fabrics.

Boil the Easter Eggs

To set the dye from the silk ties, you will need to boil the eggs. So, add about 1/4 cup of white vinegar to your cook pot and carefully place your wrapped eggs in the pot. Then fill with enough water to cover the eggs completely.

Bring the water to an easy boil and just simmer for about 20 minutes. Turn off the stove and remove the pot from the heat.

You will need to let the eggs cool completely. I know, this is the hard part! Waiting to unwrap your printed Easter eggs!

Unwrap the Silk Tie Eggs

Now comes the fun part! You finally get to unwrap your super cool Easter Eggs.

Aren’t they beautiful?? Two of my dyed eggs were much paler than the others. Upon inspection, I noticed that those silk ties were labeled as “Stain Resistant” which means they have been treated with something to keep them clean.

Consequently, it also means those ties did not release the dye as well as the non-treated silk ties.

I must say that even though those eggs are not as bright, colorful and vibrant, they are also just as lovely.

By the way, to make your silk tie eggs shiny, rub them with a little vegetable oil.

Hey, check out my other Easter Egg decorating and dyeing ideas: How to make Wool Felted Easter Eggs and Marble Dyeing Eggs with Onion Skins

Are Silk Dyed Easter Eggs Edible?

These printed Easter Eggs are probably NOT SAFE TO EAT. As I said above, silk ties are usually dyed with chemical acid dyes which are definitely not edible.

Since eggshells are naturally porous, the dye may seep through the shell to the egg itself. It is best to leave these eggs just for decoration.

If you want to keep your pretty eggs forever, you can blow them out (see how to blow out an egg below).

I hope you enjoyed learning how to dye beautiful and unique eggs with mens silk ties. By the way, this also works with colorful silk scarves or any other fabric as long as it is made with 100% silk.

What is your favorite way or Coloring Easter Eggs? Please share in the comments.

Enjoy!
Annette
FiberArtsy.com

If you are interested in more ideas for coloring Easter Eggs, you may like my Wool Felted Easter Eggs and Decorating Easter Eggs with Yarn

I also made a roundup of various egg dyeing ideas at 15 Cool Easter Egg Decorating Ideas.

How long can dyed Easter Eggs stay out?

According to the Egg Safety Center, as long as your eggs are hard boiled and are not showing in cracks in the shell, they can stay out for about 2 hours.

If your eggs have any cracks at all, they recommend that you discard them immediately.

Easy Silk Tie Easter Eggs (Step by Step Guide)