Having previously been successful with inserting eyes in a newborn, I was unprepared for how small the neck is in Ladybug (a 27 inch doll) and how impossible it will be to reach her eye sockets. Possibly putting the eyes in from the front after the head comes out of the oven will work. I do plan on trying. However, (and, I cringe as I ask this question!) would it be feasible to cut open the back of the head? Then my fingers could reach the eye socket. Yes, it sounds cruel; yet, I’m desperate! Keep in mind, this doll is for a 7 year old child; not for resale or for a collector. Hair will not be rooted, it will be a wig. Thank you for any ideas!
after cutting the eye socket to insert the eyes on the inside you should be able to squish the head enough to get the eye socket closer to the neck hole. Denise Pratt shows it well on one of her videos.
It takes me multiple tries.
I actually just recently bought a eye setter but haven’t used it yet. I am hoping to be able to insert them easier.
1 Like
It is possible to cut a hole in the back, but I’d use that as a last resort. Inserting from the front is pretty easy when the vinyl is still hot.
I squish the head down in order to reach the sockets.
@jlesser, I got that thing a while ago because I’m always struggling with eyes, but never figured out how to use it. Let me know if it helps.
1 Like
i use the curve hemostats from bb in order to reach to insert the eyes they give you that extra length to get them in there
1 Like
How do you hold the eye with those, @judylane1961? My stubby fingers would really like to know. Lol
1 Like
it has small ridges that grip and kinda pinches between the 2 prongs, It still takes some maneuvering but it helps me
1 Like
I don’t remember having problems with my Ladybug. But, maybe it’s one of those things like giving birth…you forget the pain once the baby’s arrived. LOL
4 Likes
I wouldn’t cut open the head, especially for a 7 year old. It will seriously weaken the vinyl. You can make the neck opening a little bigger with an x-acto knife and use a neck ring to make it strong. I inserted the eyes on my Kitten from the back on the inside and didn’t have a problem. She’s the same size as Ladybug. I did have to push the eye sockets down toward the neck from the outside to be able to cut them. You can use long forceps to insert them. I don’t bake my dolls so inserting them from the front wasn’t an option.
Thanks to all for the suggestions! Brain surgery averted, and eyes were inserted from the front! Yep, the vinyl is incredibly easy to work with right out of the oven.
2 Likes