How to install eyelets yourself on curtains, clothes, awnings, paper step by step

Eyelets are rings of two elements for fixing part of the fabric between them. Nowadays, it is a universal device used in many areas. The ring holds its shape perfectly, so it adds strength to the fastening. For the textile industry, eyelets have become indispensable elements. Clothing designers have repeatedly used the structure of overlays to emphasize the beauty of the product. Due to the multidisciplinary use, eyelets have acquired all sorts of proportions. In some cases a flat leg is needed, and in other cases a high leg is needed. The width of the product is also very different: it is designed for both thick ropes and thin laces. In industry, high-strength linings made from modified materials are used. Eyelets are distinguished by shape, although the most widely used is the classic ring-shaped one. In some cases, the installation of eyelets is done by hand. Public master classes will help with this.

Where are eyelets used?

Eyelets are needed to make a smooth hole in any material and protect the cut edges from chafing . In 1901, the fittings were invented for fastening ship sails; over time, eyelets began to be used in sewing clothes, belts, curtains, as well as for assembling documents or other papers into ring folders.

Small eyelets are installed on almost all models of sports shoes, for example, sneakers. The laces are passed through the metal rings. Thanks to this fittings, the item will last longer, the cord will not fray, and the material from which the shoes are made will not deform.

Eyelets: history of appearance

The likely timing of the grommets' appearance remains unknown. It is known that this happened a very long time ago, perhaps during the times of Ancient Greece. Scientists do not know the language in which this word appeared, much less the inventor of this device. The appearance of the grommet is associated with the use of wind power, and the term itself refers to the hole in the sail for threading the fastening threads. In ancient times, this is how the rigging of a ship was formed. Nowadays, the term has expanded its meaning. Now this is an option for strengthening the edges of holes that are less strong than the cable passing through them.

The grommet is often used as a decorative device rather than a means to strengthen the material. Examples include linings in leather products, fiberboard, and foam board. A modern grommet is a mechanism made of a washer and a shaped sleeve. In this case, the material used is mainly metal or plastic.

Advantages and disadvantages of application

Why eyelets are considered a good invention:

• Curtains with eyelets glide well on a special round curtain. They open silently and easily. The same can be said about paper with eyelets. Such sheets are easy to turn over in a folder.
• Reliable fastening. If curtains on hooks can be accidentally touched and the loops broken, then the eyelets will withstand such a load.
• Aesthetic appearance. Thanks to the fittings, the holes look neat. You can choose eyelets by color, to match the tone of the product, and also choose an unusual shape.
• Clothes and curtains can be washed in a machine without removing the accessories.

The only drawback is that the material on which the eyelets will be installed must be chosen correctly. Many fabrics shrink after washing, as a result of which the hole is deformed, and threads or the edge of the cut material come out from under the fastening of the fittings.

What is it and what are they?

Eyelets are a special type of fastener for curtains. They border the edges of specially made holes, through which the cornice rod is then threaded.

Such products are made of plastic, metal or wood. It is worth noting that the first ones are the most practical:

• they do not oxidize or corrode;
• they can not be removed when washing the curtains;
• they slide easily along the bar with a pleasant rustling sound;
• with proper quality they are reliable and durable;
• You can simply attach them with your own hands.

The market offers models of eyelets of various sizes (the most popular are from 10 to 50 mm) and colors. Can choose:

• transparent - with or without a pattern;
• plain of any shade;
• for any natural material (marble, wood, metal, etc.);
• metal - chrome, bronze, gold plated, etc.;
• with rhinestones.

The eyelets also differ in shape:

• traditional round;
• oval;
• square;
• triangular;
• figured - in the form of flowers, fish, frogs, steering wheels.

Types and materials

Eyelets can be classified according to several criteria.

The table describes in detail the types of fittings and their characteristics:

Distinctive features	Description
Magnitude	From 4 mm to 8 cm in diameter. Small eyelets (up to 2 cm) are used for sewing clothes, for making shoes, and also in office supplies. Large rings are installed on curtains and awnings.
Form	The outer edges may have an unusual appearance. For example, for children's rooms and bathrooms, you can purchase accessories in the shape of a flower or animals. Triangular and square grommets are sold for living rooms. For ribbons and flat laces, you can purchase oval eyelets.
Material	The fittings are made of metal, wood or plastic.
Color	The rings should be in harmony with the shade of the product on which they will be attached. You can buy matte or chrome metal eyelets. A special coating protects the metal from corrosion. Plastic fittings come in a wide range of bright colors, and wooden rings come in dark and light colors, usually coated with a layer of varnish to ensure good glide over the curtain.

It is important to select the size and color of not only curtains, but also cords or ribbons. For example, shoe fittings should either match the base material or be the same color as the laces.

How to choose a mounting option

You can install eyelets yourself only if they are plastic or wooden rings. These products are designed to be installed manually. The bushings are easy to unfasten and, conversely, snap into place. Metal fittings are attached using special tools.

The choice of the type of eyelets depends on the material on which they will be attached. For light and elastic fabrics, plastic rings are suitable. They can also be used to attach paper and laces to summer shoes.

Wooden fittings are installed on dense materials, for example, cardboard, leatherette, or curtains of medium thickness. Metal eyelets are used to make holes in rough and thick materials such as leather, jeans or canvas, as well as for thick blackout curtains.

Pros and cons of using grommets

All types of curtains have their pros and cons, curtains with eyelets are no exception. Let's look at the benefits first:

• They can be opened and closed without problems.
• The overall appearance looks original.
• Long service life. The element is least susceptible to wear.
• For curtains with grommets, any interior style is suitable.
• Installation on the eaves is easy.

As we have seen, this interior element is practical. As for the shortcomings, only one can be highlighted. If you want to carry out tailoring yourself, then for this you need to have certain knowledge, skills and experience.

Self-installation without special tools

You can install the eyelets yourself, without special tools. It is important to smooth the material well before installation.

What else is needed:

• sewing threads matching the tone of the main material;
• sewing needle;
• scissors;
• a piece of chalk or soap for marking;
• roulette.

You can install wooden or plastic eyelets yourself without using special tools.
Algorithm of actions:

1. Place about 3 cm down from the top edge of the curtains. Make markings (how to determine the optimal distance between the fittings, you can read later in the article) with chalk or soap.
2. Attach the eyelets to the fabric and trace along the inner diameter.
3. Use scissors to carefully cut holes.
4. Remove all protruding threads and fabric fibers.
5. The crumbling material can be carefully hemmed.
6. Place the lower parts of the fittings under the canvas, and place the upper parts on top. Press the ring with your fingers until you hear a slight click. Repeat with all holes.

In order for the curtains to slide well, the eyelets must be at least 1.5 cm wider than the rod. Paper folder staples, cords and ribbons, on the contrary, must be narrower than the holes in the rings.

Calculation of the distance between eyelets

The distance between the rings depends on the texture of the material on which they will be attached. The thicker the fabric, the further apart the rings are placed . The exception is paper. Here, the distance between the eyelets depends on the location of the staples in the folder, which will pass through the hole.

For attaching eyelets to tulle or other thin fabric, a distance of about 16 cm is considered optimal. On coarse and dense material, the gap should be about 20 cm. Particular attention should be paid to the rule for calculating the distance between the rings when installing them on thick curtains.

The same spacing will contribute to the formation of even and beautiful folds on the curtains.

It is also important to calculate how many rings will need to be installed.

To do this, you need to use the formula A = (b - 2x): 18 + 1, where:

• A – number of holes;
• c – curtain width;
• x is the distance between the center of the first or last eyelet and the edge of the curtain.

It is recommended to place the outer rings 3-7 cm from the edge of the curtain. This way they will look beautiful and the fabric will form an even wave.

Using grommet tape

Eyelet tape is needed to strengthen thin fabrics where the rings are fixed. If the base material is dense enough, then you can attach the eyelets without compaction.

The tape is a strip of fabric with finished edges. One or both sides are impregnated with a special glue, the fixing properties of which are activated at high temperatures.

How to attach ribbon to a curtain:

1. Measure the width of the tape and place a point down from the top edge of the curtain, doubling the measurement result.
2. Fold this part of the material in half, wrong side inward, and iron well.
3. Apply the tape to the edge of the resulting fold, with the glue side down.
4. Iron.
5. Wait for the fabric to cool, cut off the excess tape on the sides.
6. Use a sewing machine to stitch the top edge of the tape to secure it more securely.

For curtains that cannot be ironed, you can purchase grommet tape that matches the color and simply sew it to the top edge of the curtain. Transparent but dense ribbons are sold for tulle.

How to prepare a curtain?

Before installing eyelets on curtains at home, you must:

• Decorate the fabric - moisten it, dry it until slightly damp and iron it. This way the material will definitely not shrink when washed;
• sew on the lining;
• process the seams.

Seam processing

The top seam is processed first. To do this you need:

• lay out the future curtain on a flat surface;
• mark and iron on the wrong side 2 cm;
• make another fold the size of the width of the grommet tape;
• lay a tape between the layers of fabric, retreating the width of the hem from the sides;
• carefully glue the tape with an iron. It is better to glue in small sections through an ironing iron - put the iron on, wait until the glue melts, then move on to the next section.

Advice

To know how long to keep the iron on the fabric, it is better to first try on a separate piece, and then proceed to the curtain.

• Next, you need to stitch the fabric along the edge of the lapel, retreating 2 mm.

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Finishing the bottom and side seams depends on the type of fabric, skill and personal preference.

Installation using specialized tools

You can install the eyelets yourself if you have special tools. Metal fittings are more difficult to fasten; hand strength is not enough for the eyelets to snap into place. Much depends on the width of the ring.

For heavy and thick fabrics, rings with a thick stem are used. In this case, the pressure on the grommet should be very large.

Installing eyelets with clips

There is a type of metal grommet with clips that can be installed by hand using a small hammer. The disadvantage of such rings is the presence of a front and back side. They are usually installed on bags and shoes.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Press the ring onto the material so that a dent remains.
2. Using the extruded lines as a guide, cut a hole.
3. Place part of the eyelet with clips under the material.
4. Place a ring with recesses on top.
5. Bend the clamps using a hammer.

Then you need to remove protruding threads and fibers of the material.

Installing eyelets using pliers

In specialized stores you can purchase pliers for installing eyelets. The tool resembles pliers. The kit comes with removable attachments of different sizes. They are called punches and matrices.

How to install eyelets using pliers:

1. Reinforce the material with grommet tape.
2. Attach a nozzle of the required size to the pliers and punch a hole.
3. Insert the part of the ring with the leg from below.
4. Close with the top half of the ring.
5. Install the nozzle into the pliers to close the ring.
6. Place the grommet between the closing parts of the pliers and slowly press them down.

It should be taken into account that such eyelets also have a front and back side. It is important to position them correctly relative to the sides of the material.

Press installation

You can install the eyelets yourself using a special press. This tool has a lever and a pressure plane. It is used for eyelets with short and long legs. The set includes punches and dies for rings of different diameters.

How to use the press:

1. Strengthen the material with adhesive tape or fold it in half.
2. Select a punch of the required size and make a hole.
3. Place part of the ring with the leg under the material.
4. Place the washer on top.
5. Place the desired matrix in the press and gently press the lever.

It is important to ensure that the washer does not slip or move, otherwise the grommet will be installed crookedly. You'll have to remove it and install a new one.

How to install grommets without tools

It is quite possible to rivet the grommet so that it closes the hole without special units; in some cases the result will be better, especially when compared with cheap, low-quality pliers.

Ways to install eyelets using improvised means:

1. A bolt with a round head slightly larger in diameter than the grommet. Instead, a bearing, steel ball, etc. are also used. The striker is placed on the walls of the grommet and hit once or twice with a cloth, then the “petals” are bent with the same hammer, striking from the center to the edge of the grommet.
2. Phillips screwdriver (or screwdriver bit). The sting is placed in the center of the grommet, on the wrong side, and the handle is lightly struck with a hammer, as if it were a hand punch. It turns out to be a quadrangle - the part is rotated 90 degrees and the blow is repeated. The walls move apart and are tapped with a hammer to make the edging flatter.
3. A blade from a stationery knife. It is placed across the block and hit from above with a hammer so as to cut the walls almost to the fabric (or other material). Rotate 90 degrees and repeat the operation. You will need 3-4 such cuts. Then the “petals” are bent and flattened with a hammer.

Advice! To avoid scratching the grommet and staining the material with a hammer or other tools, you should place a craft mat, plywood, or the like under the bottom. material, and on top - a piece of fabric.

Installation technique for curtains or tulle

Before purchasing fabric and curtain rings, you must correctly calculate the material consumption. Considering the fact that when installing eyelets, the canvas will not hang evenly, but will become wavy, more fabric will be required than the width of the window.

Since the standard distance between eyelets on thin fabrics is about 15 cm, to calculate the width of the tulle, you need to multiply the result of measuring the width of the window by 3. A narrow and often repeating wave hides a lot of material.

Thick curtains will require less fabric because the eyelets will be far apart and the wave will remain large and sparse. The width of the window must be multiplied by 2.

Further procedure:

1. Calculate the required number of rings.
2. Install grommet tape if the fabric is not stiff enough.
3. Punch holes and install eyelets.
4. Thread the rod from the cornice through the holes.

If the curtain or tulle fabric is elastic, but there is no grommet tape at hand, you can install the rings without it. You should make the holes a little smaller than necessary, then the fittings will not fall out.

Installation on leather materials, shoes

When fixing the eyelets on the rings, it is better to use pliers or a press. It is important that the hole is smooth, so you should punch it with a special nozzle. It will not be possible to carefully cut it out with scissors, as creases and cracks will appear on the skin.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Strengthen the area where the fittings are installed by folding the material in half, with the wrong sides facing each other.
2. Mark the location of the rings with a marker.
3. Select a punch of the appropriate size and make a hole.
4. Insert the matrix tool of the required diameter, place the eyelet and secure it.

You need to work with leather only on a hard and flat surface so that the material does not deform and the fittings are fixed correctly.

Marking and preparing holes

Before installing fasteners, you should mark the product. The eyelets should be installed at intervals to prevent sagging of the material between them. Having placed the inserted grommet in the right place, circle it (the sleeve along the outer edge or the ring along the inner edge).

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Then the holes are prepared. If their diameter is small, the holes can be pierced with an awl. Sometimes a hole punch is used for piercing. To prepare larger holes, punches are used. If there is no suitable tool, you can use a specially made homemade one. To do this, you need to select a tube of a suitable diameter and sharpen one of its edges. The hole should be such that the grommet bushing is inserted tightly, but does not cause tears or deformation of the material. It is convenient to punch holes on a piece of thin rubber or linoleum.

If the holes need to be large, make a cross-shaped cut with scissors and then cut out the excess material. The bushings should be inserted from the front side, and the rings should be put on from the back. The installation of plastic fasteners ends here.

Video of installing plastic eyelets with your own hands:

Installation on paper products

The easiest way to install eyelets yourself is on paper or cardboard. Those who have never installed such accessories are recommended to practice on paper before attaching the ring to fabric or leather.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Use a ruler to measure the distance between the staples that will pass through the holes. According to the result, mark the location of the rings on paper.
2. Use a hole punch to punch holes in the sheet. If the hole punch blade is too narrow. You can widen the hole by twisting the tip of a stationery knife in it. Excess paper needs to be cut off.
3. Insert the fittings with the foot on the wrong side. Cover the top with a washer.
4. Secure the eyelet with pliers or a press.

Since the small paper rings are made of thin metal, they can be secured by hand. To do this you will need some kind of cone-shaped object, such as a nail. It should fit in diameter. Using a small hammer you can secure the grommet. However, you will have to get used to it. The first attempts may be unsuccessful.

Tips for installing grommets on a canvas awning

Tools you will need to install the grommet on the tarp by hand:

• hammer;
• bumper;
• pencil;
• roulette.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Make markings, determining the optimal distance between the rings.
2. Use a punching tool and a hammer to make holes.
3. Place the parts of the eyelets with the leg under the material. Place the washer on top.
4. Using a hammer, secure the eyelets to the awning.

It is advisable to fold the tarpaulin in half at the location where the fittings are installed so that the fastening is secure.

Awnings require rings made of durable material. Eyelets must be chrome-plated or galvanized so that the quality of fastening is not affected by aggressive weather conditions.

In addition, a special coating makes it easier for the awning to slide along the rod. You can buy plastic rings. They are easier to install and do not corrode. The main thing is to buy special eyelets for heavy materials so that they fasten well and are made of thick, wear-resistant plastic.

The manual installation method is suitable for those who have experience working with eyelets. The rest are recommended to use professional equipment that reliably solders the parts of the rings together. To attach fittings to a tarpaulin awning, flaring and nozzles for punching holes are often used.

Different types of rings are processed with appropriate rollers. If it is not possible to install the fittings professionally, you can use a hand press. Various dies and punches are always sold complete with this tool, so choosing bits for a specific ring size will not be difficult.

If the awning is intended for frequent use and there will be a heavy load on it, such as shelter from rain and wind during a hike, then reinforcement of the eyelets will be required.

To keep them even stronger and not come off during a sharp gust of wind, you need a lining made of coarse fabric. It is inserted between the 2 halves of the ring before snapping them into place. In specialized stores you can buy reinforcing tape for eyelets. It is sold in rolls of 5-15 m. You can choose the desired color and width.

It is possible to install eyelets on any material yourself. The main thing is to choose the right rings and auxiliary tools.

However, the manual installation method is suitable in cases where the fittings have to be inserted 1-2 times; for constant work with eyelets, for example, when sewing bags or clothes, professional tools will be required.