How to make cloth eyes
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These fabric eyes are "set into" the fiber head, and have eyelids.
I learned this technique in a workshop given by Jo Ellen Trilling.
I've also seen many variations on this same type of technique several other places. -- Susan
Click on the pictures for a larger view.
ball of fiberfil Make a tight ball of fiberfil stuffing.A small "marble" size is a good size to practice making.The size of the ball determines the size of eyes you'll make.  fiberfil in nylon
Place the ball in the center of a 3" x 2"
(approx) piece of nylon stocking - single layer.
wrap nylon
Pull the stocking tightly around the ball of fiberfil to form the eyeball. If you want, wrap some thread around the 'ball' now to secure in place.
 twist tie
Wrap a piece of 20 to 24 gauge wire tightly around the base of the eyeball, leaving at least a 3" tail on both sides.
paint eyeball Paint a circle with acrylic paint any color you want the eye. paint pupil
Paint the black pupil and any details you want (lines, etc).
If you apply a 'glaze' of glue (thinned out with water) over the eye before painting, the paint is easier to apply -- and a glaze after painting gives a gloss effect.
wire to back
When paint is dry take the wire tails and bring around to the back. It really doesn't matter if you pull the wires back from the same side or opposite sides - whichever seems to work out best at the time.
wire to back
fold nylon Now you're going to form the eyelids with the nylon stocking fabric, using the wire as an "armature". Lay the eye 'eye-side down and fold the fabric over the wires.
(This is difficult to show in a photo). fold nylon
You want to pull the nylon back over the wire, then
pinch the wire on both sides.
form lid The lids then can be positioned however you want then over the eyeball.
The doll used as an example here is a head made with a wire frame with batting used as a 'sculpting' medium
(Jo Ellen Trilling's method)
But you can use these eyes with any fabric doll that allows set in eyes
back of frame
close up of eye
Set in the eyes from the back (view on the right)
In my example, the frame is in the general shape of a head and has openings for where you set the eyes in from the back. The pic to the left has the frame already base-covered single layer with polyfil. The pic to the right is a close up of the eye with the fiberfil "sculpted".		 eye in head 2
eye in head 1
If you ever get a chance to take a workshop by JoEllen Trilling - take it! She's a fantastic instructor and you'll learn a lot!