The large cloth strips plus our simple template make this project a snap for little fingers.
Tips
How to Dye the Fabric
Materials:
Clean white all-cotton adult T-shirt
Bowls
Strainer
Leftover egg dyes
Clothesline and clothespins
Steps:
Tear the T-shirt into approximately 24 strips 1-inch wide
and about 2 feet long.
Drop the T-shirt strips into separate bowls of strained
dye. Stir until all of the fabric is wet. Let the strips soak for
1/2 hour, stirring them occasionally.
Briefly rinse the strips, wring them out, and dry them on
an outdoor clotheline.
| Prep Time: About 2 to 3 hours | |
| What you need: | |
| Basket template (see Step 1)
Poster board square, 11 by 11 inches (for the base around which you weave the fabric) Pencil Scissors Dyed T-shirt strips, dried (see Tips section below for dyeing instructions) Tacky glue | |
| Seasons: Easter | |
| Materials: poster board | |
| Instructions: | |
| 1. | Click here to print out the Easter basket template. |
| 2. |  Trace the template onto the poster board square and cut it
out. |
| 3. |  Tie a knot at the end of 1 fabric strip and pull the knot
between 2 panels of the base (B). |
| 4. |  Weave the strip alternately over and under the panels (B
and C). Glue the unknotted end of the fabric strip to the
base. |
| 5. |  Knot the end of each new strip and tuck the knot under an
unglued section of a previously woven strip. After 3 or 4 strips
are completed, gently fold the basket panels up so they begin
coming together (C) to form a widemouthed basket (D). Tip: Don't
squeeze the sides in too tightly as you work, or the basket will
become too narrow at the top. |
| 6. | If necessary, use a dab or two of tacky glue to secure the fabric to the poster board, especially around the top. Let it dry. |
| 7. | Trim any excess poster board at the top, making sure there's still enough to support the topmost fabric strip. |
| 8. | Line the basket with straw or grass. Add eggs!
For instructions on making natural egg dyes, click here. |
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