MATILDA HUGGINGTON-BEARE

Eye placement made easy. This method places the eyes precisely and there is no struggle and pulling with tension.

1: Loop the eye on the strand of artificial sinew. Thread both ends onto your doll needle. insert the needle in through the eye area that you have sculpted with sinew earlier.*(sculpting before hand is'nt mandatory) Take needle out through the back of the head.

Unthread your needle and rethread with just one of the strands of sinew and return back through the head and out in the eye socket area. Do the same with the other end of the sinew. When bringing back through enter the same hole being careful not to catch the fabric or the thread.         

2: Bringing the needle back out through the eye area one end at a time.

second thread being taken through same hole

Both ends of the strand are now out through the same hole at the eye. Use your Awl to gently make a hole to fit the eye wire. Slip eye into place and pull both ends of sinew

Press eye with thumb while you make a loop with the sinew and pull into place. The knot will slip under the eye when tied.

Leave this eye for the moment and repeat all these steps with the other eye.

Both eyes are now positioned with one slip knot apiece. If you are happy with their placement tie of with several slip knots each. Place *pressure with thumb on eye as you tie each knot.  *gentle pressure

We now play lost knot. Take each strand seperately  thread with doll needle and take it gently under the eye and out the back of the head at different positions. Pull thread taught and cut each strand seperately.

Adjust filling if nessacary. Be careful not to displace the eyes. Use sinew to thread around eadge of opening and place in joint. Make a slip knot and pull tight over the joint,

Tie several tight knots and lose threads through the head. Pull firmly and cut each thread.

and at this point we move onto ears. ...........next time....

I hope this demonstration has made life a little easier for you all. It is'nt solely my technique. I have adapted it from the ideas and much imput of many bear artists online.  Thankyou to you all.   WendyC

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