How to Recycle Silk Ties

Decorate eggs with recycled silk ties.

Old silk ties can be used to create distinctive Easter egg designs. Recycle silk ties with designs to make your Easter eggs pop. Use decorated eggs for more than Easter egg hunts and baskets. Fill a glass vase with a variety of designer eggs and use it as a centerpiece. Send a child to school with egg cartons filled with multi-patterned eggs for the class to enjoy.

Things You'll Need

• Uncooked eggs
• Seam ripper
• Silk ties
• Iron
• Cheesecloth
• Twist ties or rubber bands
• Stew pot
• Vinegar
• Slotted spoon

Instructions

1. 

   Flatten silk with an iron.

   Use a seam ripper from your sewing kit to disassemble your silk ties. Pull out all of the stray threads. Iron the fabric on the "Silk" setting to flatten it for easier handling.

2. 

   Cut fbric to fit around an egg with room to spare.

   Place an egg on a piece of tie fabric, adjusting the material so designs or images will fit on the egg. Wrap the material around the egg. Cut the silk to fit around the egg with room to gather the fabric together.

3. Use the cut piece of silk as a pattern to cut a piece of cheesecloth. Wrap the tie material around the egg with the good side facing the egg. Smooth the fabric as much as possible with designs flush against the egg. Cover the silk with the piece of cheesecloth. Tie the pieces at the top with a twist tie.

4. Cover the bottom of a large pot with the wrapped eggs. Cover the eggs with water and add 3 Tb. vinegar to the water. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 20 minutes.

5. Remove the eggs from the pan with a slotted spoon. Place the eggs on a plate to cool. Remove the fabric to reveal your creations.

Tips & Warnings

• Find second hand silk ties in thrift stores.

• Cook eggs in a glass pot.

• Handle uncooked eggs with care while wrapping them.

References

• Thread Banger: Dye Eggs with Silk Ties
• Crafting a Green World: How to Reuse Silk Ties for Egg Dyes