Alexei Volkov
Plastic safety eyes are a great way to add personality to your handmade stuffed animals, dolls, and amigurumi. They are easy to use, but it can be a bit confusing for beginners. Safety eyes come in various sizes and styles, and you can purchase them at craft stores or online. Before installing the eyes, you must poke a hole in the fabric where you want the eyeholes to be. Then, insert the eye post through the hole and place the washer onto the post. Finally, apply pressure to the washer while holding the pliers on the eye until it locks into place. You can also use a screwdriver or spool of sewing thread to push the washer down.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use | Plastic safety eyes are used to add character and cuteness to stuffed animals and amigurumi. |
| Installation tools | Small, sharp scissors, a pin, a screwdriver, a spool of sewing thread, a ballpoint awl, wire cutters, and pliers. |
| Installation steps | 1. Lay the plush flat and fold it on the seam or center. 2. Poke a hole through the fabric. 3. Insert the eye post through the hole. 4. Place the washer onto the post and apply pressure. 5. Clip the end of the post. |
| Safety | Not recommended for children under three as they can become a choking hazard. |
| Alternatives | Button eyes, felt circles, fabric paint, and embroidered eyes. |
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What You'll Learn
- Use a screwdriver or spool of sewing thread to push the washer into place
- Use duct tape to protect the eye from scratches and to gain traction
- Cut a circle of felt in a contrasting colour to place under the eye for an eye-popping effect
- Use a ballpoint awl to poke a hole in the fabric
- Traditional locking safety eyes are the most difficult to install
Use a screwdriver or spool of sewing thread to push the washer into place
When attaching plastic safety eyes, it is important to ensure that they are securely fastened to prevent them from becoming a choking hazard. One way to do this is by using a screwdriver or a spool of sewing thread to push the washer into place.
If you are using a screwdriver, place the eye with the stalk facing upwards and balance the washer on top. Then, use the screwdriver to gently press down on the washer until it locks into place. You can place a folded washcloth or hand towel underneath to protect the surface you are working on. It is recommended to use an empty multi-bit screwdriver, as the flat end provides a larger surface area to press down on.
Alternatively, you can use a spool of sewing thread in a similar manner. Place the spool over the hole of the washer and press down, using the spool as a tool to push the washer into place. This method also provides a larger surface area to press down on, reducing the risk of injuring your fingers. You can also attach a piece of double-sided tape to the washer and press down on the spool to secure the washer in place.
By using these tools, you can effectively push the washer into place without applying direct pressure with your fingers, making the process safer and more efficient.
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Use duct tape to protect the eye from scratches and to gain traction
Plastic safety eyes are a great way to add character to your crocheted or sewn softies, but attaching them can be a bit tricky. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use duct tape to protect the eye from scratches and gain traction during the installation process:
Before you begin, gather your materials: plastic safety eyes with washers, small sharp scissors, a pin, duct tape, and pliers. You will also need the fabric or crocheted piece to which you will attach the eyes. Lay your fabric flat, and if there is a seam between where the eyeholes will be, fold it on the seam. If there is no seam, simply fold it in the center.
Now, take a small piece of duct tape and wrap it around the bottom half of your pliers. This serves two purposes: it protects the eye from scratches, and it provides traction to the safety eye when pushing the washer in place. For even more traction, you can leave the sticky side of the duct tape facing outwards, ensuring the pliers will not slip.
With your prepared pliers, place the washer onto the post of the safety eye and apply pressure downward while holding the pliers on both the eye and washer. Continue to apply pressure until the washer and felt are snug against the back of the eye.
Finally, use a tool such as wire cutters or scissors to carefully clip off any excess post that may be sticking out. And that's it! Your plastic safety eyes are now securely attached. Just be sure to keep an eye on little ones with any toys that have eyes, as they can occasionally work themselves loose and become a choking hazard.
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Cut a circle of felt in a contrasting colour to place under the eye for an eye-popping effect
To attach plastic safety eyes, you'll need small, sharp scissors, a pin, your safety eye (two pieces: eye and washer), and your unstuffed plush. It's recommended to use safety eyes with washers to ensure they stay securely attached.
To create an eye-popping effect, cut a circle of felt in a contrasting colour, slightly larger than the eye, to place under it. Cut a small hole in the middle of the felt circle, just large enough for the eye post to fit through. Then, trim the felt around the edges of the eye until you have the desired amount peeking out. This technique works well for creating dramatic eye patches for animals like pandas or racoons.
Now, you can install the safety eye. First, lay your plush flat and fold it at the centre or on the seam if there is one. Poke a hole through the felt or fabric where you want to install the eye. Insert the eye post through the hole. Wrap duct tape around the bottom half of a pair of pliers to protect the eye from scratches and provide traction. Place the washer onto the post and apply pressure while holding the pliers on the eye and washer. Finally, clip off the end of the post.
You can also use a spool of sewing thread to press the washer down or attach double-sided tape to the washer and press it down with the thread spool. An empty multi-bit screwdriver can also be used to push the washer into place.
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Use a ballpoint awl to poke a hole in the fabric
When attaching plastic safety eyes to your craft project, it's important to ensure that they are securely fastened. One effective method for installing safety eyes is to use a ballpoint awl to poke a hole in the fabric. This tool is particularly useful for creating a hole without cutting any threads in the fabric.
To begin, lay your fabric flat and determine the desired location for the eyeholes. If there is a seam between the eyeholes, fold the fabric along the seam; otherwise, simply fold it in the centre. Using a ballpoint awl, carefully poke a hole in the fabric where you want to install the eye. The ballpoint awl will stretch the fibres around the opening, creating a hole without cutting any threads. This technique is especially suitable for stretchy knit fabrics, as cutting a hole in these materials can cause the fabric to run over time.
Once the holes are created, you can proceed with attaching the safety eyes. Safety eyes typically consist of two parts: the eye itself and a washer. Insert the eye post through the hole in the fabric. If desired, you can add a circle of felt in a contrasting colour behind the eye for an eye-popping effect. Simply cut a small hole in the centre of the felt circle, just large enough for the eye post to fit through.
After inserting the eye post, place the washer onto the post. You may use a small set of pliers to help push the washer into place. Protect the eye from scratches by wrapping the bottom half of the pliers with duct tape. Apply downward pressure on the washer while holding the pliers on the eye and washer simultaneously. Once the washer is snug against the back of the eye, you can clip off the excess post using wire cutters or a similar tool.
It is important to note that even with safety eyes, there is still a choking hazard for small children and pets. Always use caution and supervision when giving toys with safety eyes to young children, as the eyes can occasionally work themselves loose.
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Traditional locking safety eyes are the most difficult to install
To install traditional locking safety eyes, you will need small, sharp scissors, a pin, the safety eye, and the washer. You will also need a tool to help push the washer into place, such as a screwdriver, spool of sewing thread, or small pill bottle. First, lay your plush so it is completely flat and poke a hole through the fabric where you want to install the eye. Insert the eye post through the hole. If you are using a screwdriver, place a folded washcloth or hand towel over the eye and use the handle to push the washer into place. If you are using a spool of sewing thread, place the washer over the hole and press down on it with the spool. You can also use a small pill bottle or empty chapstick to push the washer into place. Once the washer is snug against the back of the eye, you can clip the end of the post off.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need small, sharp scissors, a pin, your safety eye (two pieces: eye and washer), and your unstuffed plush. You can also use a screwdriver, pliers, or a spool of sewing thread.
First, lay your plush so it is completely flat. If there is a seam between where you want your eyeholes to be, fold it on the seam. If you don’t have a seam, fold it at the center. Then, poke a hole through the fabric where you want to install the eye. Insert the eye post through the hole and place the washer onto the post. Apply pressure downward on the washer while holding the pliers on the eye and washer at the same time. Once the washer and felt are snug against the back of the eye, you can clip the end of the post off.
Plastic safety eyes can be a choking hazard for small children and pets if they fall off. To prevent this, make sure the eyes come with washer backings so that they stay securely attached. Only use toys with plastic safety eyes on children over the age of three, or under strict supervision.
