Plush eyes- which do you prefer?

[DancingPhoenix]

Okay so this is a question about custom plush ponies, mainly the eyes. I've seen eyes done all sorts of ways (iron ons, embroidery, straight up fabric, etc.) but I was wondering what the general community preferred? I've been trying many different styles and of course some are easier than others and some look better than others. Personally I can't decide which to use so I thought I'd as you!

So yeah, the choices are hand embroidered (as I don't have a machine that can do this), colored fabric, or paint.

For some background these ponies are made of minky and I have been using flannel to get the large bases of color for the eyes (the white of the eyes and the black pupils), and then the options listed are for the colored iris. With hand embroidering I do the iris like a G3 eye, which is two toned. With paint I will probably do more of a gradient like G4 eyes (the shape is the typical almond shaped eye like G1 and G3). Fabric I could do two toned or just solid, but it is much harder to find colors for.

Painted would be something like this:
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by pheleon on DeviantArt

As for embroidery and just fabric, those are the usual methods I'd say. I personally think fabric would be the hardest due to finding colors, but embroidery takes the longest. So, let me know!

[Alipes]

I chose "other", because the one I've seen quite often is iron-on transfers.  Those can actually look very nice if well done as well!

[LeighAnnApanites]

I do prefer embroidered eyes, but I know how long that takes. And how hand-crampy it is. Generally, I don't like paint on fabric, I don't like the stiffness and if the fabric has any texture it can get all wonky, also if it cracks or otherwise starts to deteriorate it can look awful (why I don't like transfers, in my experience they tend to start breaking down fast). But your example is beautiful, and if you're just talking about the iris and not the whole eye, I think paint could be really cool.

Good luck!

[DancingPhoenix]

I do prefer embroidered eyes, but I know how long that takes. And how hand-crampy it is. Generally, I don't like paint on fabric, I don't like the stiffness and if the fabric has any texture it can get all wonky, also if it cracks or otherwise starts to deteriorate it can look awful (why I don't like transfers, in my experience they tend to start breaking down fast). But your example is beautiful, and if you're just talking about the iris and not the whole eye, I think paint could be really cool.

Good luck!

I don't have the stuff to do an iron on transfer (but thanks for the suggestion Alipes!), and yes I would only be painting the iris. The pupil and whites of the eyes are fabric. The only thing I'm trying to figure out is the iris. I'm embroidering one right now, and I think I'll try the next one with paint and see how it goes

[maycrestmom]

think you should add machine embroidery given how high tech the sewing machines are these days you can put in an image and it then "sews" for you = no hand crampy... pretty sure that is how most of the hundred plus plushie makers are doing their eyes

I love painted when it's well done (as in your image) and embroidery as I worry about an iron on coming off over time

[Colorscapesart]

I agree with MCM, those painted eyes in the pic are amazing!  Other than that, I love embroidered eyes.

[DancingPhoenix]

think you should add machine embroidery given how high tech the sewing machines are these days you can put in an image and it then "sews" for you = no hand crampy... pretty sure that is how most of the hundred plus plushie makers are doing their eyes

I love painted when it's well done (as in your image) and embroidery as I worry about an iron on coming off over time

The reason I didn't add it is because I don't have a machine that embroiders. They're very expensive, and I simply can't afford one. I would do machine embroidery otherwise because I do think that looks best as well
Just going off of what I can do, which is why I posted those three. Thanks for the input!

[Shiromisa]

I'd say embroidery or iron-ons are both good choices. Mostly painted eyes look awkward, but I actually love the way yours look, so I'd say that's a possible choice too!

[cleverLC]

Appliqued felt eyes can be adorable if you don't want to paint or embroider.

[DancingPhoenix]

Appliqued felt eyes can be adorable if you don't want to paint or embroider.

I had never actually heard of that and looked it up- you're right, it's adorable! I do know my sewing machine can do that stitch as well, so I'll have to give it a shot sometime. Thank you!