How to Make a Fabric-Covered Decorative Easter Egg
Making a fabric-covered egg is easy using the kimekomi (tucked fabric) technique. This is a perfect project for beginners to kimekomi.
I was inspired to create this when looking at pictures of 18th-century gowns. The bows down the center of my egg are reminiscent of the bows you might see down the bodice of a Robe à la Française. Lace and fabric flowers were also typical trim on these exquisite gowns. Though they would not have been as multi-colored as my egg, they were often pastel. If you have seen Sofia Coppola's 2006 film Marie Antoinette, you will surely know what I am talking about.
If lace and bows are not your thing, no worries. Find inspiration wherever you choose.
Tools Needed:
Craft Knife
Tucking Tool - I use an upholstery needle.
Materials Needed:
Polystyrene Egg - Any size you want. The smooth-foam egg I use in my example is much larger than a chicken egg.
Fabric - In my example, I use non-elastic satin. However, I highly recommend using a material with stretch. It will be much easier to tuck and smooth the fabric over the egg shape if it has some stretch. Lycra and spandex work really well for this project. Unfortunately, I didn't have any on hand at the time.
Straight Pins - about 3/4 inch long (same as sequin pins in my example)
Ribbon - I use 9 mm wide and 6 mm wide satin ribbon.
Sequins and Sequin Pins - I use 3/4 inch sequin pins and 5 mm slightly cupped sequins.
Seed Beads - These help the sequins stay on the pins.
Pearl Head Pins
Bead Caps - I use 10 mm caps that can be easily flattened.
Other Various Trims - I also use stretch lace trim, silk braid trim, small premade ribbon bows, and roses.
Basic Instructions:
Using your craft knife, cut around the mold line of the foam egg about 1 cm deep.
Run your tucking tool through the cut to widen the groove.
Smooth your fabric over your foam egg and tuck it into the groove using your tucking tool.
Cut excess fabric and continue to tuck until all the fabric edges are tucked into the groove.
Turn the egg over and repeat steps 1-4 on the other side.
When you are finished covering your egg with fabric, use your pins to pin the ribbon and various trims to decorate your egg. I recommend covering the cut groove with ribbon or decoration, but otherwise, it is up to your imagination to create the rest of the design.