Grommet spacing

[Marietta Graziella]

I am working on a new outfit for RenDezvous (yes, I leave in 1 week from today ) and was pondering the grommets on my new dress.

NOT H/A in anything other than "suggestion"  lol
Teal dress/gold ochre sleeves and under skirt/multi (brown, teal, deep burgundy, gold) lining on sleeves
It's your basic bodice with skirt attached bog style - just like this one



This dress has Grannd Co. 00 grommets spaced every inch.  It looks nice and even, but oy, what a PITA.  How far do you space your grommets?  Do you alter the pattern or just do even spacing all the way down?   This is the supporting garment (no corset) and is heavily boned.  

Thoughts?  Suggestions?
Thanks for your help.

[DonaCatalina]

It depends................

Usually I space my lacing holes 1-1/2" apart.
I do alter the pattern if needed to allow space for any trim but that is rare.

[Butch]

I space them 1 inch apart.  Sometimes more, sometimes less depending on the application.  I always make a pattern and adjust the spacing as needed.

I have had good luck with putting masking tape onto the garment, and transferring the hole markings onto the tape.  Then, I put pins or small nails into the holes, and remove the tape.  The pins/nails are easily found, and there is no chalk to remove from the garment.

Also, I have had VERY good luck with spray painting my grommets before adding them to the garment.  2 or 3 coats.  I drive finishing nails (headless nails) into a board, and then put a single grommet on each nail, and am able to paint all of them at once.  Again, 2 or 3 coats of paint, dry btwn coats, and completely dry before adding to the garment.  By painting them, they don't stand out as much against the fabric.

Good luck!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Like the good Dona, I space mine 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" apart.

[LadyStitch]

Lady Kathleen, What size of grommets do you typically insteal?  What do you use to install them?  And what supplier do you use to get the grommets?

[gem]

I'm with the others: usually 1.5" apart.  I think a template helps enormously (there was one with the Simplicity 2621 corset, and it was fantastic), and as soon as I'm done posting here, I'm finally going to order myself one of these: Sim-Flex Expanding Gauge

[LadyShadow]

Oh I definitely need one of those.

[Butch]

Wow!  That's a neat tool!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Lady Kathleen, What size of grommets do you typically insteal?  What do you use to install them?  And what supplier do you use to get the grommets?

I take all the bodices and Corsets I make to the local Shoe Repair. I make the marks where the grommets have to go so he does not need to. My guy has all the tools and grommets. I think they are the standard Brass OO size.They are  5/8" in diameter. Plenty enough room in the center hole at 3/8"  to get cording through.

The grommets my Shoe Repair guy uses he orders in grosses online from Ohio Travel Bag.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I'm with the others: usually 1.5" apart.  I think a template helps enormously (there was one with the Simplicity 2621 corset, and it was fantastic), and as soon as I'm done posting here, I'm finally going to order myself one of these: Sim-Flex Expanding Gauge

That looks like a handy tool to add to my collection. Thanks gem!!!

[Marietta Graziella]

Just ordered my expandy tool thingy.  Very groovy!