You will need:
A dozen eggs
Either one packet of Easter egg dye —or— the skins from 15 yellow onions
Vinegar
A clean pair of old pantyhose
Some small leaves
I used, starting at the top and going clockwise: cilantro, parsley, bamboo, geranium, Japanese maple, and dill. In the center are a couple of vetch leaves. Cilantro and dill gave the best results; Japanese maple and vetch worked well too.
If you are using a commercial dye packet, start by hard-boiling your eggs. Follow the package instructions for boiling and cooling.
If you prefer a natural onion-skin dye, simmer the onion skins in 4–6 cups of water with a few tablespoons of vinegar for at least 30 minutes. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then strain out the skins. This creates a rich, natural dye that produces deep reddish-brown tones.
Prepare the pantyhose: tie a knot in one leg and cut about 6 inches from the knot. If you are at the toe end, simply cut about 6 inches from the end without tying a knot.
Dear Mama,
Today I took a pair of scissors and cut up all your pantyhose.
I’m very sorry.
Love,
Lulu
Place an egg (boiled if using packet dye; raw if you will cook them in the onion-skin dye) and a couple of small leaves into the pantyhose segment. Arrange the leaves so they fan out nicely. Use only a few small leaves so most of the egg surface will take on the dye color.
Twist the open end of the nylon to hold the egg and leaves tightly, then tie it off. The leaves may shift during tying; open the nylon and reposition them as needed until they sit where you want. It often takes a few adjustments to get the prints right.
Here they are, all wrapped and ready:
If using the onion-skin dye, place the wrapped eggs in a single layer in the pot so they are fully submerged. Bring the liquid to a boil and boil for about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the eggs to cool in the dye; you can also let them soak overnight for deeper color without overcooking them.
If you are using a commercial dye packet, follow the package directions. Remember to add vinegar if the instructions call for it — vinegar helps the color develop fully. Commercial dyes usually work quickly; some recommend just 2–5 minutes.
When dyeing is complete, remove the eggs from the liquid and dry them on paper towels. Carefully unwrap the pantyhose to reveal the leaf prints. Some prints may be soft or slightly blurred, while others will be crisp and detailed; both look beautiful. The darker brown eggs in the photos were dyed with onion skins and the brighter red eggs with a dye packet.
