How to Embroider Realistic Eyes- Easy Guide

Image of embroidery project. You should How to Embroider Realistic Eyes Embroidery eyes are one of the project parts that need you to pay maximum attention. The technique requires you to keep practicing and be patient with yourself. In addition, you need them to be beautiful and realistic. Therefore, a discussion on How to Embroider Realistic Eyes will help to get you started.

The first step is to decide the eye shape and arrangement and mark the fabric. Create your eye design and make the stitches. You can also outsource a template to help you select the eye shape. However, ensure that you use a fabric marker to make markings because you need to remove the ink later.

There are different methods to embroider realistic eyes, and they vary depending on the thread type and thickness. You can choose to use your hand or an embroidery machine.

But, either way, as long as you have the basics of each technique, you are good to go! Follow this guide through as I provide thorough guidelines on embroidery eyes and how to successfully get them on your doll.

Table of Contents

How Do You Embroider Eyes On a Doll?

You can adopt various embroidery techniques based on your doll’s personality. Also, your preferences and skills will influence the method you pick. Nevertheless, ensure that you always pick the most suitable style_do not be fixated on one way of eyes embroidery.

The basic steps are as follows:

Decide the exact position for the eyes, as this is an essential part of the process. Ensure that you dedicate enough time to this step. Because once you find the best eye placement, the other steps are easy.
Draw the eyes and mark them. You can also consider getting a template as it helps you to mark the eye shape. In addition, a fabric marker with disappearing ink is a perfect option as you can remove them after embroidery.
Make an indent at the eye drawing as it helps you to sink it. Also, secure the indentation by tying the threads hanging to the front. This exercise creates the eye socket and gives the doll a more sculpted quality. Therefore, ensure that you do it if you want to add more dimension to the doll.
Proceed to weave and embroider by beginning with vertical stitches. Then, make horizontal stitches and vertical again until you create a net. This net supports the satin stitch that delivers the eye shape.
Once you finish, secure the thread to the head’s top. Also, consider using a long doll-making needle when you bring the threads to the back.

How Do You Fill Your Eyes With Embroidery?

There are various stitches at your disposal to help you fill your eyes with embroidery. they include:

Cross Stitch

This stitch is ideal for filling in a project. Therefore, it is perfect for embroidering eyes. In addition, a cross-stitch will allow you to try various colors for the eyes. For example, you can use colored stitches for the eye’s center and white stitches for other eye regions.

French Knot

A french knot creates eyes, whether on fabric or an object. Therefore, it will serve you well as you fill the doll’s eyes. Also, it is an easy technique that accommodates both learners and experienced stitchers.

However, be careful as you work on the stitches as they easily tangle.

Backstitch

This stitch is easy to learn and produces lines that help to border shapes. It is also a perfect way to fill your embroidery design and, in this case, the doll’s eyes.

Backstitches are the most durable stitches and will help to deliver drowsy or closed eyes. Also, they join the stitch line to enhance strength and resistance.

Stem Stitch

A stem stitch is vital for those in the beginner’s embroidery phase. You simply need to form fine lines as a flower stem, and as you shape the eyes, the stitch traces around the eye edges.

Also, you can use it for curves and straight lines.

Satin Stitch

Satin stitches require more time and advanced embroidery skills. However, they are excellent for full round doll eyes. They also help you embroider various eye parts such as the pupil, iris, and the white area.

Fortunately, the stitch also works well with a backstitch. Therefore, you can use the backstitch to delineate the eyes as you cover the whole area with a satin stitch.

In addition, you can choose to embroider the satin stitch directly on the material or on a teensy cloth. Either way, you will still get your doll eyes.

How Do You Embroider Eyes With a Sewing Machine?

The pattern selection process is the same as when you use your hand to embroider the eyes. However, the added bit is that you need to get the correct stitch length and width. Also, it would help if you get a sample stitch on the material. Then, note the stitch number, height, and width.

In addition, check your bobbin and ensure that it is full to assure you a smooth stitching session. Then, get right into stitching!

Put the block into the machine and then pull down the needle above the eyes. Also, remember to lower the presser foot.
Try a backstitch and sew an oval shape. Then, stop stitching when the needle touches the oval’s base.
Repeat the process on the other eye.

On the flip side, if you want to use your hands to make the eyes, be my guest! Generally, you need to have a piece of fabric, threads of various colors: an embroidery hoop and a needle marker.

Once you are ready, consider the following steps to complete the project.

Find the most suitable position for the eyes by trying out various places. Also, think of what impression you want to give with the eye placement. For example, if you want to give an innocent look, it would be best to consider large eyes.
Use a water-soluble or fabric marker to highlight the eye features. Consider working closely with the template to ensure that the eyes turn out as you expect.
Make a stitch and continue adding more stitches around the iris. However, be careful not to touch the top eyelid region. Then, use a black thread to create straight stitches that fill the pupil.
Try different stitches_long and short. For example, do a long stitch, a short one, and a final long one for the iris. Also, a grey thread will give you a unified look as you try out these stitches.
Fill the rest of the eye and begin at the perimeter end you worked on around the iris. In addition, get a blue thread to get an appealing outcome.
Get your black thread and sew within the eyelid’s edge. Then, with a new color, embroider the top eyelid’s corner up to the eyeball’s center.
Repeat the second eye, and it is done!
Spritz the eye with water and dab it with a clean paper towel to remove any color or ink.

How Do You Embroider Eyes On Knit Toys?

Embroidery eyes on knit toys give them a personality. Thus, fitting them is probably an essential part of making a knit toy. Also, you need to ensure that you begin the process after stuffing the head and adding a button nose.

However, if you are unsure of the eye position, it would be best to add them close to the nose_they will make a face appear complete.

In addition, during head stuffing, leave an opening either at the base or at the back of the head. Then, when you start adding the eyes, take the needle through this opening.

Also, you need to mark the eyes with two glass-headed pins. Therefore, once the needle goes through the opening, let it come out through one of the marked positions.

Remove the pin and make a small stitch across a knitted stitch. Then, do a french knot_take the yarn two or three times around the needle. This move prevents the eye from burrowing into the stuffing.

On top of that, take the needle back into the head stuffing and secure the stitch. Then, carefully bring the needle back up through the area with the second pin.

Make one stitch across the knitted stitch and pull the yarn to indent the first eye. Also, create a second french knot.

Finally, take the needle back out through the head opening and pull the yarn ends. This exercise will indent both eyes. Then, you can put a knot to the yarn ends and secure them.

How Do You Embroider Eyes With Yarn?

First, you need to determine your preferred eye size by trying various circles from fabric or dark-colored paper. Also, you can follow the pattern suggestions. But, always ensure that you settle for the most suitable size.

The next step is to think of the eye’s placement. You will get the best outcome by trying various positions to determine your preferred facial expression. However, you can save time by getting inspiration from the internet. So, search for the intended facial expression and choose from the images from the site.

Once you choose the eye positions, you have three choices to choose from as you embroider round eyes.

Method One

Use a needle and black thread to make stitches as they provide a guide for embroidering. Then, unpin the dummy eye and examine the shape to see if it matches your preference.

If you find that the eye is too small, make another circle above it. Ensure that you use the old circle as a guide to get a better shape. Also, if it is still not perfect, you can still make corrections as you embroider. So, don’t panic; proceed as you check for mistakes.

Method Two

Use light eye shadow or blush powder to fill the eye area as a guide. When you take the template off, you will be left with a perfect round shape to stitch.

Method Three

You can also get a piece of paper and cut out the dummy eyes. Then, use it as a template and pin it in place to embroider inside it.

To make the embroidery stitches, use a large needle and embroidery thread to make horizontal overcast stitches from the bottom moving upwards. In addition, you can use method three to embroider over the circle guide to hide the shaded or stitched area.

Finally, you can consider making vertical stitches over the horizontal ones to deliver a 3D effect. The stitches also help to correct the shape to make it perfect.

How Do You Hand Embroider Plush Eyes?

To hand embroider plush eyes, you need to have the following supplies: fabric scissors, hand embroidery thread, pins and needles, embroidery hoop, and iron-on stabilizer.

Start by selecting the eye design. You can use a template or create an original pattern.
Then, draw the eye and attach the iron-on stabilizer. The stabilizer keeps the stitches from puckering. Therefore, ensure that you get it before you begin the project.
After ironing the stabilizer at the fabric’s back, install the embroidery hoop and begin to stitch. Also, always begin with the color at the design’s bottom. But it would be best to use a thick embroidery thread for the white eye parts. So, pick the end of the eye and begin stitching.
Follow the eye line and keep stitching over and over until you fill the whole region. Also, use a thinner thread on top of the white stitches for the shadow layer.
Create more eye detail and add texture to the eyes using single stitches. In addition, the stitches will deliver a tired look and complete the plush eyes.
Finally, follow the curve line with a black thread and use small stitches to finish the eye borders.

How Do You Embroider a Smiley Face?

The little mouth with a smile makes the whole face smiley. So, to create it, thread a needle with embroidery thread and do a french knot. Then, thread through the back of the fabric to the end of the mouth and do a small stitch.

Ensure that you follow the marked line. Also, work as fast as you can to keep the mark from disappearing before you finish stitching. Then, do a backstitch away from the original stitch while keeping a considerable distance.

Once you get a firm backstitch, go backward and meet up with the previous stitch to create a continuous stitching line. Then, repeat the process until you fill the smile.

Finish up by picking up some thread at the fabric’s back and create a loop. Next, thread the needle through the loop and do a knot.

NB: It would be best if you use an embroidery hoop for bigger projects.

How Do You Hand Embroider a Stuffed Animal?

Embroidering and monogramming a stuffed animal is an excellent way to claim ownership of a stuffed animal. Therefore, if you have proper skills and embroidery experience, it should be a walk in the park.

However, if you need more guidance on how to go about the project, consider the following instructions.

Choose the embroidery design that you want to embed on the stuffed animal. Then, for a monogram, ensure that you settle on the initials. Create a sketch as it will help to select a font and the overall pattern.
Assess the stuffed animal and choose the most inconspicuous area and make an incision. Then, pull the stuffing material through the hole and set it aside. It will help if you have a large incision to help you reach inside the animal during embroidery.
Inspect the animal fabric and determine the most suitable area to have the embroidery design. I would recommend the stuffed animal’s chest for monograms. But if you are just working on a simple embroidery design, any visible place is okay.
Use the needle and embroidery floss to stitch the design. Also, ensure that you anchor the floss on one letter-end with a knot for monograms. It would be best if you get contrasting colors as it will make the design visible.

In addition, ensure that you get the correct needle because more elaborate and larger designs require different needles and more advanced techniques. Also, consider the animal’s owner’s preferences and get the most suitable style.

Embroider until the fabric marker becomes invisible.
Trim any spare threads and check for areas that need additional trimming or embroidery. Then, remove the fabric hoop and re-stuff it. Also, check the stuffed animal to ensure that the design is still visible and appealing.
Lastly, stitch the stuffing hole and squeeze the animal to redistribute the stuffing in its interior.

How Do You Sew Eyes On a Stuffed Animal?

Use a black embroidery floss as it delivers a simple and perfect eye. So, once you have the floss and needle in place, finish up with the threading. Then, make a knot and begin to embroider.

Open up the stuffed animal’s neck seam to hide the knot, and determine the eye position. Next, bring out the needle from the eye position.

The next step is to push the needle again about ¼ inch in and bring it out from the same spot. Then go back and forth until you get the preferred design.

Also, use the ear position to get the perfect spot for the eye if you can’t seem to figure out the most suitable place.

Lastly, tug the seam to get an indent as it makes the eye look appealing.

How Do You Sew Button Eyes On a Stuffed Animal?

Once you have the right accessories, you are at liberty to get to work. So, use some pins to give you a guideline on the stuffed animal’s head.
Next, turn the animal upside down to check whether the eyes are in the correct position. If not, remove the pins and reposition them. Then, turn the animal upside down again and examine the eyes.
Once you get the correct placement, get a thread four times the stuffed animal’s head circumference and thread the button eyes and needle.
Pull the pin representing one eye and push the needle through to the back of the animal’s head. Then, pull the thread and tug it to keep it secure.
Knot the threads at the back to secure the eye at the front and repeat the process for the other eye.
Lastly, hide the threads by pushing the needle into the stuffed animal and bring it out from any head position. Next, let them disappear into the head and check your eyes!

How Do You Put the Eyes On a Teddy Bear?

The essential accessories for this project are a thread, a long doll needle, glass eyes with loops, a pair of scissors, and of course, the Teddy bear that needs eyes. Also, remember that the eyes will give the bear a personality. So, please be careful as you go through the process.

In addition, if you know how to sew button eyes on a stuffed animal, you are good to go! Because the process is quite similar. For example, ensure that you measure a thread four times as the bear’s head circumference.

Next, use visible pins to mark the eye position and push the needle through to the teddy bear’s head. Also, ensure that you tug the thread once you finish as it secures the eye on the face.

Finally, when you finish with the threading, hide the thread inside the teddy’s head.

How Do You Knit a Face On a Bunny?

You need to have the knitted fabric, a needle, and embroidery thread or floss. But first, ensure that you create the bunny’s body using the following steps.

Get the knitted fabric and tack the yarn loosely to create a triangle.
Put a little stuffing in the triangle’s middle and cringe it up. The bunny’s head will appear with ears in position.
Then, proceed to work on the body.

Once you have the bunny, examine the eyes and determine the best position for the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Follow the procedure above on how to embroider eyes on a stuffed animal. However, ensure that you do not tug the fabric too tightly as you may ruin it.

Also, after you get the eyes, proceed to make the nose. Push in the needle in the eye position and bring it out from the nose area.

Next, push the needle again about ¼ inch into the fabric and bring it out. Go back and forth to get the correct nose appearance.

In addition, stitching the mouth is also very easy because you have the ears, eyes, and nose in place once you have identified the most suitable position.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Stitch to Use on Doll Eyes?

Generally, a french knot is the most common stitch during eye embroidery. It helps you to have a thread ball that optimizes the eyes.

However, ensure that you go through the available stitching techniques and choose one that suits your style. In addition, embroidering eyes should showcase a person’s preference as they give the doll a personality. Therefore, you should get the method that gets you home in the simplest way possible.

How Many Floss Strands Do I Need to Embroider Doll Eyes?

Eye embroidery allows you to be as creative as you wish. In addition, the number of thread floss will also depend on your preference and the fabric. So, you can use a single thread or up to three threads.

However, if you want to deliver finer details to the eye embroidery, it would be best to go for a single thread.

Additionally, two threads are ideal for a thick finish. Therefore, ensure that you determine the kind of doll eyes you want before you get the thread.

Why Are Safety Eyes Important?

Safety eyes are child-safe plastic accessories for stitched eyes. They are a perfect addition for amigurumi and will work well to give you excellent doll eyes.

However, although they bear the name safe eyes, ensure that you attach them to the doll tightly. You wouldn’t want your kid to remove the eyes and put them in their mouth.

Conclusion

Embroidery eyes are simple to deliver, especially if you have basic sewing and embroidery techniques on your fingertips! Also, whether you have a sewing machine or installing the doll’s eyes by hand, as long as you get the correct eye placement, you are good. But still, many embroiders and sewists ask for simple instructions on: