Silk Dyed Eggs

I have been seeing all of these creative ways to dye eggs, so I thought I would get in on the action this year and try something new. This is my first year trying this out, so my eggs did not turn out perfect like Martha Stewarts but for my first try they turned out well. It is helpful to have two sets of hands for this project, extra large eggs so it is easier to tie the silk tight onto the egg.

You need 100% silk for this to work.  Check the labels to make sure you’re not buying polyester, which can look similar. I grab old ties at the thrift store, but little did I know ties were not the way to go, grab shirts, large scarves, or even boxers that way you have material to work with.  The brighter and more hideous the silk, the prettier eggs!

Tools and Materials:
Large or extra-large raw eggs
Glass or enamel pot
Scissors
Pieces and scraps of 100 percent silk -- including cut-up silk ties, blouses, or boxers -- large enough to cover an egg
Squares of un-dyed cotton or pieces of old white sheets, pillowcases, or tablecloths that are large enough to cover silk-wrapped eggs
Twist ties
3 tablespoons white vinegar
Warm water
Tongs or spoon
Cooling rack
Vegetable oil
Paper towels

Directions

 1. Cut silk into pieces large enough to wrap around a raw egg.

2. Tightly wrap a raw egg with a piece of silk, making sure the printed side of the material is facing the egg. Secure with a twist tie.

3. Place the silk-wrapped egg in a piece of un-dyed cotton and secure tightly with another twist-tie.
4. Place egg(s) in an enamel or glass pot. Fill the pot with enough water to cover eggs completely. Add three tablespoons of white vinegar to the water.

5. Bring water to a boil, turn heat down, and simmer for 40 minutes or longer.
6. Remove eggs from water with tongs or spoon, place on a cooling rack, and let cool.

7. Remove silk from cooled egg.
8. For shiny eggs, wipe with a paper towel dabbed in vegetable oil.
  (Martha Stewart)

Safety Note: The dye that is transferred to your egg is not food safe dye.  Who knows where the silk came from our how it was colored. To be on the safe side, I don’t recommend eating the eggs if the eggs show any dye on them when cracked open.