How to Swirl Dye An Easter Egg

A neat way to decorate eggs for spring, without using a store-bought egg dying kit. Create your own swirled or tie-dye pattern for fancy looking eggs that are cheap to make.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• hardboiled egg
• assorted food coloring
• small paintbrush
• white vinager
• waxed yarn or twine
• plastic cup for each color
• warm water
• soft towel

1. Boil eggs to hardboiled, then let cool and gently dry with soft towel.

2. Pick a darker color you want to paint with. Mix 1 Tbsp hot water, 1 tsp vinegar, and five drops food coloring into cup. Use paintbrush to create lines or swirls around the white egg. Let dry.

3. Use waxed yarn or twine and gently, but firmly, wrap the yarn around part of the painting, and any other areas you want a swirl. Use a small piece of tape to secure string.

4. Pick a lighter color, and fill a cup with 1/2 cup hot water, 3 Tbsp vinegar, and ten drops food coloring. Use a spoon and dip the egg into the dye. Keep egg in dye for at least two minutes, or until desired color is created. Remove egg from dye and let dry.

5. Once dry, remove the yarn. Use a paintbrush and the same dye mixture from Step 2 to add or fix any details and let dry again.

6. Polish the egg with a soft towel.

Tips & Warnings

• For the best effect, use a crayon to create patterns before dying the egg. Once the egg is colored, rub the crayon wax off the egg to reveal the raw white shell underneath. Try using sharpened crayons and a small stencil for intricate patterns.
• Make sure the towel is an old one, it may get stained with dye.