Edited by Flickety
Although making eyes for soft toys is fairly straightforward, it is helpful to consider the range of different possibilities for adding eyes. You can change the personality of a soft toy according to the eyes that it is given, and there are also safety considerations to take into account. Let alone the usefulness of being able to use up scrap bits from the sewing basket! This article suggests a number of things to consider when adding the eyes to your homemade or repaired soft toys.
1Select eyes that will best suit the toy. If you are making an animal, the eyes should be representative of the animal. More human-like eyes are suitable for dolls. Some eyes will change the mood, look, or character of the toy, so it is a good idea to hold up different sets of eyes to see what overall look is created.
2Select a means for making the eye. There are lots of possibilities for making eyes for soft toys. Some ideas include:
- Embroidering eyes
- Sewing on beads or buttons
- Making raised eyes out of the same fabric as the toy, with felt additions
- Safety lock eyes
- Googly eyes (glued on firmly, not suitable for under 5's)
- Marker or fabric paint drawn eyes (but be careful or this can look kitsch)
3Consider the age of the child who will play with the toys when adding eyes. Embroidered or marker made eyes tend to be the safest as there is nothing to pull off and swallow.
4Use good, strong thread if you are attaching eyes. To prevent eyes from coming off, use strong thread such as waxed buttonhole thread or dental floss. Be sure to stitch on tightly and firmly.
5Position eyes carefully. They should look as realistic as possible and should be spaced as they would be on a real human or animal, or at least give a sense of perspective to a human viewer. Consider the possibilities of how eyes come across through positioning; for example, eyes that are large and wide apart have an innocent and naive look, whereas eyes positioned closely together can look stern and mean. Play around a bit before settling on the final positioning.
6Make a contoured eye socket prior to stitching on the eye. This will make it appear more realistic and appealing. It also helps to define the whole facial features.