How to Pin the eyes in?

[reyrain]

Hello, this is my first post here.
I've ordered and successfully recieved a few packs of eyes for teddies from CristieBears, but then, since I'm new to the whole eye business, I thought it would be the safety kind of eyes that you just clip on, so to say. I've read through the other people's posts about eyes but not found the Q&A that fits. The eyes have a little wire to use to fasten them, the way I understand it.
Can someone please tell me how to actually fasten them on? I would prefer to use the materials at hand rather than ordering a new set of something I know how to use ;)

[Hayley-bear]

Ok, i'll try to explain although i'm certainly not a teacher :rolleyes:

Take a long piece of strong thread (the type you would use for closing your seams)

Fold it in half, so you have the two 'ends' together and then a 'loop' on the other end.

Thread one end of your folded thread through the loop in the eye (so either the two ends, or the looped end) and make sure the eye is in the middle of the thread.

Then, thread both ends of your thread through a large doll needle (so you will have the loop, and the two ends being threaded through your needle)

Squeeze the wire loop with pliers to ensure the thread is secured in place

Then push the needle into the place where you want the eye to be, aiming towards the back of the neck as you do it.

Pull the needle out of the back of the neck (near, but not too close to the head joint)

Your eye should be in the right place, with the wire loop having disapeared into the head.

Now with the ends of your thread at the back of the neck, tie two knots (the tension will determine the depth of the eye)

Then rethread both ends onto the needle and pass it through the head, coming out somewhere at the side, and snip the threads.

The thread will disapear into the head, leaving a knot at the base of the neck. All thats left to do is comb the fur over the knot, and hey presto! (You just need to do the same with the other eye ;) )

Hope this helps!

Hayley :6034:

[baildon bears]

I would do the same as Hayley but insert both eyes before I fasten off then with both ends of thread at base of head tie off, pulling in eyes to get the right depth. pulling in both eyes at the same time ensures both eyes are at same eye socket depth and also makes more shape to face. Make sure you use super strong thread. Hannah

[shebob bears]

What more can I add to those two brilliant answers! :6086: Just make sure you use the strongest thread possible though, and this can be a bit tricky threading the needle as I often find the eyes of the doll needles tend to be long and too narrow.

Just noticed nobody has mentioned making a hole at the eye socket position on the bear's head. Mark the position with an air soluble pen ensuring the positions are exactly the same, and then with an awl or similar make a small hole in the fabric. Then just follow Hayley's and Hannah's instructions.

Good luck,
Sheila :6034:

[reyrain]

thank you for such quick and well explained replies :6034: think it'll be a few tries before I find the right angles but it should turn out fine in the end :)

[shebob bears]

If you need any further help, just ask. We are here ready to come to your rescue! And please do let us see a picture of your finished Ted.

Cheers,
Sheila :6086:

[Hayley-bear]

Glad to be of assistance :6013: Thanks guys for adding in the bits I missed. It took me a while to write as i'm suffering from suspected swine flu and very sleepy :6023:

[shebob bears]

Do take care Hayley. I know what nurses are like - terrible patients!! :rolleyes: Last month hubby went down with the dreaded Swine Flu. I had it too but much milder. Perhaps I just had "Piglet" flu. :6044: :D

Take care everyone.
Sheila

[Hayley-bear]

Do take care Hayley. I know what nurses are like - terrible patients!! :rolleyes: Last month hubby went down with the dreaded Swine Flu. I had it too but much milder. Perhaps I just had "Piglet" flu. :6044: :D

Take care everyone.
Sheila

Yea, I'm not the best patient :o I'm feeling slightly better today, but still having sweats and feel generally rubbish! I haven't even been able to make my bears :( (I like the term piglet flu, he he)

[Judi Russell]

Send me a private email or telephone me at Christie Bears and I will put a leaflet in the post with pictures of how to fix the glass eyes.
Hope you guys are recovering from your 'Piglet Flu' :eek:

[Hayley-bear]

Send me a private email or telephone me at Christie Bears and I will put a leaflet in the post with pictures of how to fix the glass eyes.
Hope you guys are recovering from your 'Piglet Flu' :eek:

Thanks Judi

I am trying to rest, I can't make my bears so i'm catching up on reading about making them, and on the forum of course from my laptop :o