Maya Ellison
Plastic doll eyes can be attached in a number of ways, depending on the type of doll and the desired permanence of the attachment. Safety eyes, for example, are a popular choice for those seeking a secure option. These eyes typically have a post on the back that fits through a hole in the doll and are then secured with a washer. Sewn-in eyes, on the other hand, are attached by drilling holes and sewing them directly onto the fabric or felt of the doll. For those seeking a less permanent solution, gluing a piece of yarn to the back of the eye and then sewing it in place can provide more flexibility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of eyes | Sew-in eyes, traditional locking safety eyes |
| Tools | Pin, duct tape, pliers, wire cutters, awl, ball point awl, yarn, glue, buttons |
| Techniques | Poke a hole, wrap duct tape around pliers, sew eyelids, glue yarn to the back of the eye, sew buttons to the eyes, embroider, reinforce fabric with fleece or felt, use hot glue |
| Safety | Not safe for children under 3, choking hazard, use scrap fleece on the inside, supervise children under 5 |
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What You'll Learn
Reinforce fabric with extra material to prevent eyes pulling through
When attaching plastic doll eyes, reinforcing the fabric with extra material is a crucial step to prevent the eyes from pulling through. This is especially important when using fabrics like fleece or broadcloth, which are softer and more prone to tearing. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through this process:
Choose the Reinforcement Material
Select a piece of fabric that is slightly heavier and stronger than the primary fabric of your doll. Soft materials like fleece or felt are ideal for this purpose, as they provide reinforcement while remaining gentle to the touch. Alternatively, you can use the same type of fabric as your doll, such as an additional layer of broadcloth, to maintain consistency.
Cut the Reinforcement Fabric
Cut a small piece of the reinforcement fabric in a size that is slightly larger than the eye hole. This will ensure that the reinforcement covers the eye area adequately.
Position the Reinforcement Fabric
Place the reinforcement fabric behind the eye area of your doll, aligning it with the spot where the eye will be attached. Make sure that the reinforcement fabric is centred and secure, so it doesn't shift during the eye attachment process.
Attach the Doll Eyes
Now you can proceed with attaching the plastic doll eyes. Use a pin to mark the desired position of the eyes, then poke a hole through the fabric layers where the eye post will be inserted. Insert the eye post through the hole and secure it with a washer, following the specific instructions for your chosen type of doll eye.
Finalize the Reinforcement
Once the eyes are securely attached, check that the reinforcement fabric is properly positioned and cannot be seen from the front. If necessary, trim any excess fabric from the reinforcement piece to ensure it remains discreet.
Reinforcing the fabric with extra material is a simple yet effective way to ensure that your doll's eyes remain securely in place. This technique not only prevents the eyes from pulling through the fabric but also enhances the overall durability of your creation.
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Use sew-in eyes for fabric or felt
Sew-in doll eyes are a great option for fabric or felt dolls. They are similar to beads, with two holes drilled at the back for sewing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to attach them:
Step 1: Mark the Position
Use a pin to decide where you want the eyes to sit. Poke a hole through the fabric or felt where you want to install the eye. This will help you determine the exact position for the eye post.
Step 2: Prepare the Eye
Insert the eye post through the hole you just created. If your doll has two sides, make sure to layer them so that the eyes are installed in the same spot on both sides.
Step 3: Secure the Eye
Wrap a small piece of duct tape around the bottom half of a pair of pliers. This will protect the eye from scratches and provide traction when pushing the washer into place. Use the pliers to gently push the washer onto the eye post.
Step 4: Sew the Eye in Place
Using a needle and thread, sew the eye securely onto the fabric or felt. Make sure to use a thread that matches the colour of the fabric or felt to create a neat finish. Stitch across the loops a few times to ensure the eye is firmly attached.
Step 5: Final Checks
Check that the eye is secure and does not rotate. If it shifts, use your needle and thread to reinforce the attachment. Cut off any excess thread, tying a secure knot close to the eye to avoid any dangling threads.
And there you have it! Your fabric or felt doll now has beautiful sew-in eyes that are firmly attached and ready for playtime or display.
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Use locking safety eyes with washers for a secure hold
Locking safety eyes with washers are a secure way to attach doll eyes. This method is ideal for those who want to ensure the eyes are firmly in place and do not rotate. The washers provide an extra layer of security, locking into place and creating a snug fit.
To install locking safety eyes with washers, you will need a few tools and materials. Firstly, ensure you have the doll eyes with washers, a pin, a small set of pliers, and duct tape. You may also require wire cutters or a similar tool to adjust the post later on.
Begin by using the pin to mark the spot where you want the eyes to be placed. Poke a hole through the fabric or felt where the eye post will go. It is recommended to layer both sides of the doll to ensure the eyes are symmetrical. Insert the eye post through the hole. To protect the eye and provide traction, wrap duct tape around the bottom half of the pliers. Now, use the pliers to push the washer into place. The washer will lock onto the ridged post, creating a secure hold.
If you find the washers challenging to work with, a helpful tip is to soak plastic washers in hot water for a few minutes. This will soften the plastic, making it easier to push onto the post. Once the washer is in place, use wire cutters or a similar tool to snip off any remaining post.
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Drill holes and sew on flat-back eyes
When attaching flat-back eyes to a doll, one method is to first drill holes and then sew the eyes onto the doll. This method is suitable for dolls made from fabric or felt.
To begin, decide on the placement of the eyes. A sewing pin can be placed in the middle of the face, and a sewing gauge can be used to measure the distance to the left and right eyes, ensuring they are equidistant from the centre. Once the placement is determined, mark the spots where the eyes will go.
Next, drill or poke holes in the fabric where the eyes will be attached. This can be done with a pin or a ballpoint awl, which creates a hole by stretching the fibres without cutting any threads. Cutting a hole in stretchy knit fabric is not recommended, as the hole can run over time.
After the holes are made, it is time to sew on the eyes. One method is to use sew-in eyes, which have holes drilled for sewing but no backing or post. These eyes are similar to beads, with the holes sitting closely together at the back. Another option is to hot glue a piece of yarn to the back of the eye and then sew it in place. This method provides a more permanent attachment. When sewing, use a long doll-making needle to bring the threads to the back of the doll's head and secure them. It is recommended to use two threads for the eyes, creating a smooth and secure attachment.
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Use hot glue for a more permanent placement
Hot glue is a good option for attaching plastic doll eyes more permanently. It is a strong adhesive that can securely hold the eyes in place. To start, use a pin to mark where you want the eyes to be placed. Poke a hole through the fabric where you want to install the eye. This will be the spot where you insert the eye post.
Next, heat up your glue gun and apply a small amount of hot glue around the eye post. Quickly insert the eye post through the hole you created and hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue dries. You can also use hot glue to attach a piece of yarn to the back of the eye, and then sew it in place using that yarn for added security.
For an even more secure placement, you can reinforce the fabric by adding an extra piece of material behind it before gluing the eyes. This could be a scrap of fleece, felt, or another soft fabric. This extra layer will provide more support and ensure that the eyes are securely attached.
Keep in mind that hot glue can be difficult to remove, so it is important to be confident about your eye placement before proceeding. If you are not comfortable with permanent eye placement, you may want to consider other methods such as sewing or using safety eyes with washers.
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Frequently asked questions
There are sew-in eyes, traditional locking safety eyes, and flat-back eyes. Sew-in eyes have holes drilled for sewing the eyes to the fabric or felt. Traditional locking safety eyes are more difficult to install and have a post on the back that comes with washers to fit over the post. Flat-back eyes can be glued or sewn into place.
The best way to attach plastic doll eyes depends on the type of eye you are using. For sew-in eyes, poke a hole through the fabric or felt where you want to install the eye and insert the eye post through the hole. For traditional locking safety eyes, push the washer into place over the post. For flat-back eyes, you can glue or sew them into place.
The tools you need to attach plastic doll eyes depend on the type of eye you are using. For sew-in eyes, you will need a pin, small set of pliers, and duct tape. For traditional locking safety eyes, you may need wire cutters to snip off the post that sticks out after you attach the washers. For flat-back eyes, you may need hot glue or yarn to attach them to the doll.
Here are some tips for attaching plastic doll eyes:
- Use a pin to get a sense of where you want the doll eyes to sit once installed.
- Use duct tape to give some traction to the safety eye while pushing the washer in place and to protect the eye from being scratched.
- Use eyes with ridged shanks and plastic washers to hold the eyes in place better.
- If you are using safety eyes with ridges on the posts, you will hear a 'click' when the washer is properly in place.
