Easter is literally just around the corner.  And while Easter is going to seem a little different this year because of COVID-19, you still can have fun creating unique, fun Easter eggs with items you probably have around your house.  This project utilizes old silk ties or scarves. You know the ones you have been purging from your closet for the last week…. Let’s get to it.

Starting the process.

First, cut your silk fabric and white sheets of fabric into square scraps fit to the egg. You are then going to wrap the {raw} eggs in the silk square, making sure the printed side of the material is facing the egg and secure with an elastic. You need to make sure that you secure it tightly. The more secure it is the better your print will turn out.  Use different patterns from different silk fabrics to make it fun.

Remember those white square scraps?

You will need to place the silk-wrapped egg on a piece of white cloth and secure tightly with that elastic.  Some people use two elastics, but I use one for both because it makes it easier in the end. You will do this with each egg.  It’s important that all the eggs are secured tightly!  

It’s time to get cooking.

You’re going to place the wrapped eggs in an enamel or glass pot. {It CANNOT be aluminum or any metal as the vinegar will react to the metal and you will not get colors}….Then, you’re going to fill the pot with enough water to cover the eggs completely. Add three to five  tablespoons of white vinegar. Bring the water to a boil. Then, turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes. Finally, after the 20 minutes have passed, remove the eggs from the water with tongs and let cool.

Unwrap your unique creation.

After the eggs have cooled, unwrap the silk to reveal your egg’s design.  You’ll see that the design that was on your silk fabric is now on the egg.  This is definitely a fun spin on dying Easter eggs. What a great way to create art and have some fun with your kids. It’s also a chance to incorporate a science home-school lesson. You have just taught about heat being a catalyst and how colors can transfer with the help of chemistry.   If you have the old kids, make sure they write the scientific process of why all this happened! And, you could even turn it into a great science experiment with a hypothesis and all! The possibilities are endless! (Yes, I just geeked out a bit!)

If you would like a shiny finish to your eggs, lightly wipe each one with vegetable oil and a cloth.