Faux Embroidered Eggs

I once read an article on the art of embroidered Easter eggs. The artists carefully pierced holes into ostrich eggs and painstakingly stitched thread in and out to form intricate designs. Just Google "embroidered eggs" and you will be amazed. I wanted to try and replicate it.

Except I cheated. I let someone else do the embroidery... a long time ago. I simply got out my vintage suitcase full of embroidered pieces that I've purchased at estate sales, flea markets, and antique shops over the years and chose a few to (gasp!) cut up. Apologies to the ladies (I'm assuming) who worked so hard on these but remember, I rescued them because I recognized the time and talent that went into each piece and I held on to them for the perfect project. This was it. Here's how you do it...

First, blow the yolk out of some eggs. If you're not sure how to do this, search Instructables for help.

Now, find an embroidered linen, the thinner and more lightweight the better.

Next, carefully cut around a small section of embroidery making sure not to clip any stitches.

Now, coat the backside of your embroidery piece with Mod Podge.

Using a paint brush or your fingers, carefully adhere your embroidered fabric onto an egg. I've found that fabric is much easier to decoupage onto an egg than paper. It forms around the curve of the egg nicely. The key is to use small and irregular shapes (i.e. not large squares) and leave some empty space between embroidered designs.

For an all-over shiny look you can Mod Podge over top of the embroidered piece and all over the egg if you like. Let it dry overnight.

To add a hanging device, squirt some hot glue into the top hole and insert a wire or ribbon.

This method is a little messy but way easier than piercing tiny holes in an egg and trying to stitch intricate designs onto it.