Chloe Zhang
Plastic safety eyes are a great way to add character to your handmade stuffed animals, dolls, and amigurumi. They are easy to attach but hard to remove, and come in a variety of shapes, colours, and sizes. However, it's important to note that they are not safe for babies and young children under three years old, as they can become a choking hazard if chewed off or pulled out. In this guide, we will take you through the process of inserting plastic safety eyes securely, ensuring they stay locked in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Small, sharp scissors, a pin, plastic safety eye (two pieces: eye and washer), unstuffed plush, small set of pliers, duct tape, ball-point awl, knitting needle, wire cutters |
| Installation Process | Insert the post of the craft eye between the stitches, poke a hole with a ball-point awl or knitting needle, place the eyes, press the flat side of the washer onto the post, cut off the excess post with wire cutters, use hot glue to secure the eye |
| Safety | Not safe for children under 3, can become a choking hazard, not safe for pets |
| Sizes | 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, up to 30mm |
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What You'll Learn
Safety first: not suitable for children under 3
Safety is a key consideration when installing plastic safety eyes. Although they are called "safety eyes", they are not guaranteed to be safe and can occasionally work themselves out. Therefore, it is important to supervise young children when they are playing with toys that have safety eyes.
Safety eyes are not recommended for children under three years old because they can still fall off and become a choking hazard. Even if the eyes themselves do not come apart, babies and young children can chew through the fabric around the eye, releasing the eye and washer and creating a choking hazard. Therefore, it is crucial to use safety eyes only on toys for children over three or toys that will be played with under supervision.
To enhance safety, it is recommended to use safety eyes with washer backings to ensure they stay securely attached. Traditional locking safety eyes with ridged posts and washers that lock into place are the most secure but can be harder to install. Soaking plastic washers in hot water can soften them, making them easier to install.
For children under three, it is recommended to embroider faces or use other alternatives such as button eyes, felt circles, or fabric paint for larger projects. It is important to use caution and judgment when selecting the appropriate type of eyes for toys, ensuring the safety of young children who may be playing with them.
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![Ecavria [400PCS] Safety Eyes for Amigurumi, 8-16mm Black Crochet Eyes with Washers, Oval &Round Craft Eyes, Kawaii Doll Eyes for Crochet Toys Stuffed Animals](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71tV-PtyAWL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Tools you'll need
To install plastic safety eyes, you'll need a few tools and materials. Firstly, you will require the plastic safety eyes, which typically come in two parts: the eye and the washer. The washer is a small, flat piece of plastic with tiny barbs that help keep the eye in place. Make sure you select the right size and colour for your project.
Next, you'll need a sharp tool to poke a hole in the fabric where you want the eye to go. A ball-point awl or a small knitting needle are good options as they create a hole without cutting any threads. You could also use a pin to first mark the spot where you want the eye to sit. If you're working with a crocheted or knitted fabric, a ball-point awl is particularly useful as it stretches the fibres around the opening instead of cutting them, preventing the hole from running over time.
For attaching the eyes, some people recommend using a small set of pliers to push the washer into place. You can wrap duct tape around the bottom half of the pliers to protect the eye from scratches and provide traction. If the washers are too hard to push on, you can soak them in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to soften them before drying and pushing them into place.
Finally, for added security, some people recommend using hot glue or super glue to attach the eyes, especially if you're making a toy for a young child. A scrap piece of fleece or felt can also be placed on the inside of the toy before attaching the eyes for added security.
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Positioning the eyes
Planning the Eye Placement:
Before you begin, it's essential to plan the placement of the eyes. Consider the expression you want to achieve and the overall look you're going for. If you're working with a pattern, follow its instructions for eye placement. If you're creating your own design, experiment with different positions to find the most appealing look. Remember that the eye size will also impact the placement, with smaller eyes typically used for a subtle look and larger eyes for a more expressive appearance.
Preparing the Fabric:
Lay your creation flat, ensuring that the area where the eyes will be positioned is smooth and free of any bumps. If there is a seam between the eyeholes, fold it along the seam. If there is no seam, simply fold the fabric at the center. This step ensures that both eyes are placed symmetrically.
Marking the Eye Positions:
Use a pin to mark the exact spots where you want the eyes to be installed. This helps you visualize the final result and make any necessary adjustments before creating holes in the fabric. Poke the pin through the fabric or felt to mark the desired position for each eye, ensuring they are aligned and spaced evenly.
Creating the Holes:
Once you're happy with the positioning, it's time to create the holes for the eye posts. Using a sharp tool like a small knitting needle, ballpoint awl, or small scissors, carefully poke holes through the fabric where you marked with the pin. If you're working with stretchy knit fabric, consider using a ballpoint awl to create the holes, as it stretches the fibers without cutting the threads. This prevents the holes from running over time.
Testing the Eye Placement:
Before securing the washers, insert the posts of the craft eyes into the holes and check if you like the positioning. This step allows you to make any final adjustments to the eye placement. Ensure the eyes are aligned and facing the correct direction before moving on to the next step.
Securing the Washers:
Now, it's time to secure the washers. Place the flat side of the washer, the side with tiny barbs, onto the post of the eye. Push it firmly into place. You should hear a satisfying click, indicating that the washer is locked in position. If the washers are challenging to install due to their hardness, try soaking them in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to soften them before drying and pushing them into place.
Remember, plastic safety eyes are not recommended for children under three years old as they can still pose a choking hazard if chewed on or pulled off. Always use your best judgment and caution when creating toys for young children.
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Using washers
Safety eyes are plastic bulbs that help give some character and life to your crochet stuffed toys or amigurumi. They come in multiple shapes, colours, and sizes. Safety eyes are easy to attach but difficult to remove. However, they are not safe for children younger than three years old or pets.
Safety eyes with washers are the most commonly used type of safety eyes. The washers help to hold the eyes in place. The majority of safety eyes have a backing post with a washer. Some fit snug but are not ridged, and these can be pulled off and on easily. These are great for art pieces and toys for older children.
The post is usually ridged so that once the washer is pushed into place, it locks securely. Because of the ridges, the washers can sometimes be harder to install. The washers have grip to hold onto the shank. The flat side of the washer should be placed against the flat back of the eye, and the raised side, with prongs, should be faced away from the eye.
To install safety eyes with washers, first, insert the post of the craft eye between the stitches on your piece where you want it to go. For sewn softies, use a ball-point awl or a small knitting needle to poke a hole. Place the eyes first, before pressing on the washers, to see if you like the look. Once your eyes are positioned how you’d like, press the flat side of the washer onto the post. Push the washer tight to secure it in place. You can use a spool to balance the washer and press down, or use double-sided tape to attach the washer over the hole of the spool.
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Alternative methods
If you are making toys for children under three, you may want to avoid using plastic safety eyes and instead use embroidered eyes or other alternatives. Even embroidered eyes can be dangerous for children under three, so it is important to exercise caution when choosing the type of eye to use.
One alternative method is to use a scrap piece of fleece or felt on the inside of the toy, in addition to the plastic safety eye. This will provide extra security and prevent the eye from being pulled out. The fleece or felt should be at least the size of a 50-cent piece.
Another option is to use hot glue to secure the eye in place. This method can be messier, but it will help to ensure that the eye does not come loose.
If you are looking for an alternative to plastic safety eyes altogether, you can consider embroidering the eyes or using other materials such as felt patches. These options may be more time-consuming, but they can add a unique and cute touch to your creation.
It is important to note that even with safety eyes, there is still a risk of choking if the eyes come loose. Therefore, it is recommended to use caution and supervise young children when they are playing with toys that have plastic safety eyes.
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Frequently asked questions
First, poke a hole through the fabric where you want to place the eye. Then, insert the post of the eye through the hole. Finally, press the washer (the flat side with the tiny barbs) onto the post—you should hear a click.
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 ball-point awl or a small knitting needle to poke the hole.
Plastic safety eyes are not recommended for children under three as they can fall off and become a choking hazard.
