Safety eyes are a quick and easy way to add eyes to your softies. Today I have a short video (it's under a minute!) demonstrating how to insert them.
In the video I'm using an 8mm black eye just like the eyes on my Halloween pattern, Candace the Candy Corn. I'm also using two tools that I love: a graduated ball point awl and a disappearing fabric marker. If you don't have an awl you can read all about how I use mine in this post. And disappearing fabric markers are pretty great. Just spray the mark with water and it disappears!
Enjoy the video and happy sewing!
I’ve not seen these. Are they considered safe for 3 and under? Can some of the post be cut off if the softie is the flat kind?
Hi Debbie,
Safety eyes are generally not considered safe for children under age 3. I would use them at your own discretion. I do love the look of them, and the ease, too, and I find they hold up really well over time and repeat washings. Clearly, though, if one were to become dislodged it could present a choking hazard for a young child so use with caution.
The posts are very hard plastic and would be difficult to cut off, but not impossible. I’ve found that you can use safety eyes with even very flat softies because the stuffing will bury the post sufficiently. I hope that helps!
Have you got any tips for inserting googlie eyes? I find I sometimes squash them when I push the washer on.
Thanks, Abby!
I’ve never used googley eyes with posts and washers. Where do you find them? Sounds interesting.
I have a lot of difficulty putting the washer on smaller eyes – I generally work with 5 mm eyes. Any tips on how to do it without injury or breaking the eye?
Hi Caroline,
I wonder if the washers that came with the smaller eyes you have are not actually the correct size? I’ve ordered eyes, and plastic doll joints that work the same way, and had the washers be the incorrect size. They simply could not go onto the post without some serious hammering! It shouldn’t be that hard to put the washers on.
Perhaps order some new 5mm eyes from a different source and see if you have better luck?
I hope that helps,
Abby
That graduated awl is pure genius.
Yes, it’s pretty nifty! Here’s a link to the Clover ball point awl on Clover’s website: http://clover-usa.com/product/0/876/_/Ball_Point_Awl
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My little boys beloved (cannot be without it) stuffed puppy dogs safety eye is falling apart. How can I reattach it? Any suggestions? The carries and loves on his puppy by carrying him in his mouth. (It’s quite disgusting but he LOVES this animal.) Is there glue or something I could use to mend his little eyes?
My little boys beloved (cannot be without it) stuffed puppy dogs safety eye is falling apart. How can I reattach it? Any suggestions? The carries and loves on his puppy by carrying him in his mouth. (It’s quite disgusting but he LOVES this animal.) Is there glue or something I could use to mend his little eyes?