In this tutorial, we will be learning all about sewing with grommets and eyelets. I'll show you how to attach grommets and what to look for when you're selecting grommets as well as a few tricks to avoid the grommets from coming undone.
The latest trend in accessories and clothing is the use of grommets. They are everywhere these days –on belts, dresses, tops, leather jackets and, my favorite, on handbags. This is, of course, not new. Not much in fashion is anymore, but this a cyclical trend when punk style barges its way onto the catwalk. The trend this year is called “subversive punk” –whatever that means–but it makes for a fun and easy project and a great gift for people of any age.
To better understand this trend, we have to go all the way back to the 1400's when eyelets in clothing and boots started to be used. The word used back was Eyelet and it was a marriage of olde English and French. At the time, the word referred to a crudely constructed hole in a garment reinforced by stitching –not the best-looking thing if you have ever tried to recreate a costume from that time.
Sometimes a round ring was used underneath to reinforce the hole, then in (the late 1600's), the first metal grommets were introduced. Fast forward to 1827 Paris when the metal eyelet made its debut with a washer at the back and was first used in corsetry to tame the waists of the upper-class ladies. Of course, by the 1920's the middle and lower classes were able to follow the trend too.
So is it a Grommet or is it Eyelet? In fact, it's both, since the male part of the grommet is called an eyelet. However, an eyelet is normally used on shoes, corsetry, and garments to be with laces instead of buttons.
So let me suggest the following grommet terminology:
Use the term grommet when you are going to make a handbag, shower curtain or drapes. Usually 1″ or bigger.
Use eyelet you're making clothing or corsetryand you want to use lacing rather than buttons. Usually smaller than 1″.
Grommets and eyelets may or may not come with a washer. You must use with a washer if you are making corsets, tops, pants, jackets, wallets and leather accessories.
You can use grommets or eyelets with no washer for paper products, price tags, bookmarks or any craft that is not going to handle a lot or is not going to be in contact with the skin.
Tools
- Industrial Kam tool (for serious bag maker. This is what I use.)
- Grommets
- Dritz grommets Pack of 8 (for one project)
- Glue (Optional)
- Hole Puncher for leather and small eyelets
- Embroidery or sharp scissor
Anatomy of a grommet
A grommet is composed of two parts: the male (the eyelet) and the female (the washer).
Grommets have a right side and a wrong side just like fabrics do. Right sides showing below with a convex shape rim around the hole.
Wrong sides showing below with a concavely shaped rim around the hole.
How to attach grommets
Tip #1. The best way is to trace the inside diameter of the grommet on the fabric to indicate where and what size to make the hole. Most patterns will have this marked for you but if you are adding grommets to embellish your project this is the way to do it. The hole should never be larger than the inside diameter.
Tip #2. Cut the hole using avery sharp pair of scissors or embroidery scissorsto cut asmall hole. Always start with a smaller hole, you can increase the size bit by bit with the point of your scissors.
Attach the right size of the die to the Kam tool mounting hole according to the size of the grommet, and place the proper part of the tool in the corresponding side of the tool. The Kam tool comes with a few sizes so it is a good idea to keep them separate with a sample of the grommet size.
Place the male side of the grommets otherwise known as the eyelet right side down.
Tip #3. Add the fabric with the print side down. Apply glue around the hole to prevent the fabric from stretching and the grommet coming off with time.
Place the washer right side up on top of the fabric and press not too hard and not too light. In fact, chances are that a few will go bad during this process no matter how careful you are. If that happens to you, I got your back…
How to change a broken, missing or bad grommet
It happens to everyone, sadly. No matter how hard we try to do the right thing some grommets are just not going to come out well.
A grommet that is going to be close to the skin should always be smooth and well formed. When you pass your fingers and any bit scratches or cuts you, it's not going to end well for you or for the person who will buy your product.
So here is a way to change a bad grommet.
You will need a long or needle nose plier. Place the tip of the nose plier between the hole and the rim of the grommet and squeeze in about three different places.
Lift the washer at the back and take out the eyelet.
Apply glue to the back and place a new grommet.
If the hole is too large, you will have to sew around the hole matching the thread as much as possible to the fabric. Then replace the grommet.
Some projects involving sewing with grommets for you to try
The “Gleam” bag.
The Boho Chic Belt with a secret pocket.
The Small Fridge crossbody purse.
Grommets and eyelets can be functional or fashionable or both. I use them all the time in my projects. If you start using a lot of grommets, it really makes sense for you to invest in the heavy duty Kam tool that I used in this tutorial. It really isn't all that expensive considering the ease and accuracy you get.
I'd love to hear your comments about sewing with grommets and eyelets on your projects. You can now even add photos of your work in the comments below. I'd love to see some!
