Although you can use other kinds of paper to make washi eggs, traditional washi or handcrafted Japanese paper is still the best material. Not only does it come in exquisite designs, it’s also strong even when wet, and is flexible because it has no grain – making it suitable for decoupage on an egg’s curved surface. You can use a real egg that has been pierced at both ends, its contents blown out, and then dried (Don’t forget to patch each hole with a paper triangle before proceeding to wrap it). You can also use a papier mache egg, wooden egg or, as in our example, a plastic egg.
You will need:
* Japanese paper (washi)
* Decoupage medium
* Tape measure
* Ruler
* Pencil
* Scissors
* Brush
You will first need to measure the egg in order to cut a rectangular piece of paper that will be just the right size to cover the egg.
Measure the circumference of the egg at its widest point using a tape measure and note this down; this will be the rectangle’s length.
Measure along the length of the egg from the topmost point to the bottom-most point, following the curve of the egg; this will be the rectangle’s width.
Now cut a rectangle of washi using the measurements you took. The paper should be long enough to wrap around the egg and wide enough to reach the top and bottom of the egg.
Fold the paper in half lengthwise, with the printed side facing inward. Use a pencil and ruler to draw a line that’s 1/4 inch away from and parallel to the folded edge. Draw another line that’s 3/8 inch away from and parallel to the outside edge of the paper. Starting from the line near the fold, draw lines ¼ inch apart and parallel to the short edge of the paper. At the base of each line, draw a short line at an angle, about 1/16 on an inch. This will help the paper curve better later on. See the photo below.
Cut along these lines (including the nicks at the base) to form a fringe, and then cut the ends of the strips so that they taper.
Unfold and flatten out the paper. Apply glue at the back of the paper along the fold, and wrap it around the egg, making sure that the points of the fringe reach the topmost and bottom most points of the egg.
Carefully apply decoupage medium to one strip of paper and adhere it to the egg, burnishing the paper with your fingers to flatten it. Do the same to the adjacent strip until you have worked your way around the egg. Repeat with the other half of the egg. Brush a coat of decoupage medium over the entire egg and let dry; apply more coats if desired.
