Dyeing Easter eggs with natural dyes

DIY: Shades & Patterns

Ever since I discovered dyeing with natural dyes, the dyeing kitchen has been a constant activity. I usually dye and print fabrics using various techniques and a wide variety of dyeing materials, but with Easter just around the corner, pretty dyed eggs are a must ;) If you'd like to make your eggs shine with natural dyes, you don't need much, and the results are impressive. At least, I think so ;)

I've tried a few things, and the following natural dyes are my favorites: red cabbage, blueberries, elderberry juice, and onion skins. These ingredients are available at any grocery store and are quick and easy to prepare.

My tips & tricks for dyeing Easter eggs with natural dyes

eggs

I used medium-sized white eggs. White shells make the colors pop more than brown eggs. Before dyeing, it's best to rub the eggs with vinegar; this will help them absorb the dye better. This will also help remove the stamp. Hard-boil the eggs first and let them cool to room temperature.

Making a dye bath

I always prepare a dye bath, even for dyeing fabrics. I do this as follows: Boil the dyeing material (vegetables/spices/berries/leaves/flowers/shells or seeds) with sufficient water, simmer gently for one hour, and let it steep for another hour. Then strain the material, using a sieve or a cloth, as needed, to ensure that no residue remains in the dye bath and the dye can be absorbed evenly.

from left to right: red cabbage, elderberries, blueberries, onions

red cabbage

When dyeing with red cabbage I did the following:
1. Prepare dye bath (as described above)
2. Pour approximately 400 ml of the dye bath into a tall glass
3. Add 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp white vinegar
4. Add eggs one after the other and wait until the desired color is achieved

With red cabbage, you have to wait a little longer; it doesn't happen at first, but after about 30 minutes, I was very pleased with the pretty blue color. Red cabbage isn't called "blue cabbage" for nothing, and as with all natural dyes, many factors influence the color result. Depending on the pH value of the water, the dye bath, and thus the dyed material, will take on a more bluish or reddish hue. You can influence this somewhat by using shaders, but more on that later.

onion skins

I tried a previously used dye bath, which is why my dyed eggs are more pale than vibrant. If you want to dye with onion skins, simply follow my instructions for making a dye bath and use about 2-3 cups of onion skins, depending on the color intensity. Then you can proceed as you did with the red cabbage.

blueberries

I used frozen blueberries, but the coloring also produces great results with fresh blueberries.
1. Puree 4 tablespoons of frozen blueberries with a hand blender (if you don't have a hand blender, the coloring will work without blending).
2. Fill the blueberries into a tall glass and add 400 ml of hot water
3. Place the eggs one after the other into the dye bath and wait until you are happy with the color.
Blueberries also need a little time to develop their colors.

Elderberry juice

It couldn't be easier! I bought 100% direct juice from a local fruit press at the supermarket.

For cold dyeing, simply pour approximately 400 ml into a tall glass container and start dyeing right away. Elderberry produces beautiful shades that can be paler or more intense depending on how long it's in the dye bath.

Different color levels & shades

You can experiment with different dye levels by removing the eggs from the container earlier or later. This way, you can easily achieve different color gradations and shades from one dye bath. For an ombre effect, a flowing color gradient, you can, for example, leave the bottom part of the egg in the dye bath longer than the top part, creating a beautiful color gradient.

Dyeing Easter eggs with shaders & patterns

As already mentioned, you can influence and change the pH value of the dye bath/the color result by adding shaders. Shaders, also called developers, are divided into acidic and alkaline. For the samples, I used soda, a basic shader.

1.Fill about 100 ml of warm water into a smaller container
2. Add 2 tablespoons of soda (you can buy washing soda cheaply in any drugstore), stir the mixture and your shader is ready
3.Using a thin brush dipped in the baking soda mixture, paint abstract patterns or stripes on your egg, or use a cotton swab for small dots.
You can also add pre-dyed eggs to the soda mixture and watch the colors change. I'm always fascinated ;)

Have fun coloring eggs!
We are excited to see your results, which you are welcome to share with us on Instagram @dainty_dystopia ;)