Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Our Silk Tie Easter Eggs

Last night for family night, I asked Mr. Cactus and our 18 year old son Paul to help dye Easter Eggs.
This is a family tradition we do every year, and I try and come up with a different technique to keep the activity interesting.

I was pretty excited to see this tutorial on Our Best Bites.

I went to our local thrift store and purchased a few 100% silk ties.
As part of the preparation, we removed the linings.
Mr. Cactus tried to be original and wrapped two different tie pieces around one egg. A piece of muslin was then wrapped on the outside.

The eggs boiled for about 25 minutes.

The eggs were then set on paper towels to cool.
We were excited for the "unwrapping" to see how they would turn out.

Hmmm...our eggs didn't take on much of the pattern of the tie. Instead they looked like the dye ran.
We aren't sure what we did wrong because the instructions were fairly simple.
We still liked how they look, though!

A little part of the tie pattern shows on several.



I purchased these cute little egg holders on a sale table at our local grocery store for around a dollar.

While waiting for the eggs to boil, and being a curious teenager, Paul tested something he wondered if was truth or fiction.
If you squeeze a raw egg as hard as you can with one hand, it still will not break.
True!

14 comments:

Sandy's Sew On said...

How interesting! I was planning to try this, too. I went shopping for ties and my thrift shop charges between $4.00 and $7.50 per tie.

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Wow, I love it! That looks like a fun and different way to die eggs! I love how the colors ran to make their own design. Very nice!

MGM

Martha said...

I like the eggs and LOVE the egg holders. Can't wait to try this.

Carrie P. said...

This is just fascinating to me. Cool!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Wow beautiful eggs Nedra, I have never done this before what a clever idea. I adore your first purple paisley egg too xo

Nanette Merrill said...

I think they are beautiful. Very artistic. Lovely finish even if it was different than you thought. This is good especially for older kids. I think my 15 year old son might like doing this. He's in a 3D art class. thanks

Unknown said...

Even though they didn't hold the pattern, they are just wonderful!! I love the color. Thanks for testing the egg crushing myth too! Whew, I can now rest easy knowing I don't have to try it myself. I actually have always wondered if it were true.

Jana said...

Aw....I wonder why they don't look like the original blogger's eggs? I told my dil about this and was hoping she would try it this weekend. Your eggs are still pretty though. The egg holders are so cute!

Janet said...

I think they're lovely, almost like tie dyed. I must look out for silk ties now.

Kim Walus said...

What a fun idea. I won't have time this year to make them but will have to bookmark the tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I think I will try that. I have to go tie shopping now.

Material Mary said...

Nedra, I think I like your version better so there!! Beautiful. My friend says they are a piece of art.
Mary

Anonymous said...

Hello - I have done this the past 3 years, I add 3 tablespoons of white vinegar to the water. Tha may help solve some of the running but really you will only get a hard print of the pattern on one part of the egg - it's just too difficult to have the fabric lay flat on the entire surface.

Besides, the variations make then that much more interesting!

I do try to get at least one side to be flat and arrange the fabric as best I can - the rest will be wrinkly.

Good Luck!!!

Rae Ann said...

I love your eggs! I think they turned out very beautiful!!!