I went Easter shopping today and one item on my list was Easter egg dye. I was confused by all the choices. Marbled whiz-bang polka dot tye-die swirled dyes galore, but not a regular, run-of-the-mill five-color dye kit in sight. Star Wars or Scooby Doo Temporary Tattoo Easter Eggs? I think not.
For naturally beautiful easter eggs, try this dyeing method that my sister and I used when we were kids. Choose small flat leaves or flowers to use as a stencil on an egg. Put the egg in the toe of a nylon stocking. Arrange the leaves or flowers so they are pressed flat on the egg, held in place by the nylon. Tie a knot in the top of the nylon so everything stays in place. Dunk the nylon in the dye. Remove the nylon when the egg is dyed, and let drip dry for a while before removing the egg. You should have clear outlines where the leaves and flowers were.
These eggs are even more beautiful and interesting to make if you use natural dyes that you make yourself. The extra trouble will be worth it because you can involve the kids and make egg dyeing a real event. Natural dyes are paler than commercial dyes, and also take longer. Leave hard-boiled eggs in the dye for a few hours in the refrigerator or even overnight.
Follow the directions below to make natural dyes. The amounts are only approximate, so feel free to experiment!
1 Tablespoon spice or 4 cups chopped fruit or vegetable (see suggestions below)
4 cups water
2 Tablespoons white vinegar
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the dye is the preferred color, 15 minutes or more. Remove from heat and cool; strain.
Pale Red: Fresh beets or cranberries, frozen raspberries
Orange: Yellow onion skins
Light yellow: Orange or lemon peels, carrot tops, celery seed or ground cumin
Yellow: Ground turmeric
Pale green: Spinach leaves
Green-gold: Yellow Delicious apple peels
Blue: Canned blueberries or red cabbage leaves
Beige to brown: Strong brewed coffee