How To Dye Easter Eggs With Old Neckties

eggs

Do not let this post mislead you, for the necktie is not dead but will rise again. Happy Easter, everyone.

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Amid the egg hunts, chocolate bunnies and flower bonnets, how can the menswear aficionado add some style to Easter Sunday? How about dyeing Easter eggs, but with the unique twist of transfering the color and pattern of silk neckties.

Here’s how:

1)  Take old neckties made of silk, tear them apart, and tightly wrap each raw egg with the outside of the tie facing the egg’s surface.

2)  Tightly secure the fabric against the egg with twine, string or dental floss.

3)  Wrap the egg in another layer of white fabric, such as the necktie’s liner. Secure it tightly around the silk–wrapped egg as in previous step.

4)  Place the wrapped eggs into a pot and fill with water and three tablespoons of vinegar. The water should cover the eggs by an inch.

5)  Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.

6)  Remove the eggs and carefully unwrap them. If a shiny surface is desired, wipe with olive oil.

Happy Easter! — MATTHEW KARL GALE

6 Comments on "How To Dye Easter Eggs With Old Neckties"

  1. The big question: did Matthew come up with this idea?

  2. Ahhh, no, I did not come up with this technique. I’m quite sure it’s been around for a few generations as I have heard of people’s grandparents teaching them this technique. And, in case anyone was afraid I butchered some desirable vintage ties for this project, don’t fret, I used some current Jos. A Banks and a Joe Boxer(?!) tie that were gifted to me. They’ve sat at the back of my closet until Easter rolled around. Happy Easter everyone!

  3. Jacob Jingle Hiemer Schmidt | March 26, 2016 at 4:45 pm |

    We tried this with old socks since we wanted to keep all our ties. Not recommended. The socks made the eggs smell worse than eggs, if you can imagine.

  4. elder prep | March 2, 2020 at 7:54 pm |

    I wish I had seen this post a month ago. I cleaned out my four decades of corporate wear ties and donated them. I retained, of course, my two school rep ties (UVA and George Manson U) and two knit ties for the occasional event where a tie is a must.

  5. Check out charity and thrift shops for silk ties and donate back any change from your purchases!

  6. I stopped reading at “tear them apart.”

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