Anyone know of a good eyelet tool, do they make one that can do different size eyelets?
Depends on what you mean by eyelet tool. If you mean something that will squish metal eyelets, I wouldn't suggest it. Try grommets instead. They are much sturdier and have less of a tendency to tear out of the fabric. I have found eyelets just love to rip out of the fabric no matter what kind of stabilizer you use. If you want to make them by hand, that's pretty easy to do. Get a good awl that tapers to a point. Stick it in the fabric until you have a hole the right size. Then use embroidery thread to bind the edges of your hole. It's not too time consuming and you can sit in a comfortable position while you do it. An awl works better because it expands the hole without cutting the threads and thus making the area weaker. I hope this made sense because I'm getting tired and my eyes are going blurry.
I have worked with grommets before, granted they were big ones used on bounce-house inflatables, it was simple enough, I remember needing to use a bunch of force with a punch type of thing, should be easier on fabric. :-\
DO NOT cut the fabric. Use an awl or something like it to stretch the fabric. Makes all the difference. I use a pencil.
I use this on my Bernina sewing machine:
(http://pics.livejournal.com/katexxxxxx/pic/000kxahp)
http://www.bernina.com/product_detail-n25-i157-sEN.html
This is what I get:
(http://pics.livejournal.com/katexxxxxx/pic/00256z8b)
Your local hardware store will sell a kit with tarp grommets (1/4" hole or so) and the tools to set them. I use the tool to punch holes in the fabric first, then apply the grommet.
You can also do them by hand, as Baroness de Vale recommended.
(Like Kate, I'm also lucky enough to have a machine to do them.)
Believe it or not, I actually use a leather punch, they look like this:
(http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad162/eday52/maun-leather-punch.jpg)
I select the size I need depending on the grommets I'll be using, then punch the fabric with it. It works well for me. Then of course I use the appropriate size tools to squish the metal grommets together.
I use the leather punch, too. I just cut the hole very small then stretch it with the awl. I tried just using the awl but I usually have too many layers to deal with.
I have an eyelet punch from walmart of all places...its a Crop-a-dile...basically it is a hole punch you can use on fabric and then another part of the same tool sets eyelets...I like it alright but if the fabric is a satin weave, or any kind of loose weave, it pulls right through. i usually use it to punch wholes for grommets too and just use a pencil or something to wedge in it to stretch the hole if necessary...sounds ghetto but it works for me.
I had to get an eyelet tool earlier this spring, as I was not having luck getting hand-sewn eyelets to work well through 2 layers of cotton duck, a layer of broadcloth, and a layer of velveteen (the holes just wouldn't stretch!).
I went around the metal eyelets with embroidery floss. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how they hold up. I got mine from JoAnn Fabrics, and made use of a 50% off coupon.
http://www.joann.com:80/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2851&PRODID=prd11082 (http://www.joann.com:80/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2851&PRODID=prd11082)
I'm still trying to convince my DH to let me have this.
http://www.richardthethread.com/index.php?src=directory&view=shop_richard&srctype=detail&refno=640&category=Corset%20Supplies&submenu=CorsetEssentials (http://www.richardthethread.com/index.php?src=directory&view=shop_richard&srctype=detail&refno=640&category=Corset%20Supplies&submenu=CorsetEssentials)
For now I'm making my eyelets by hand. I'm trying to think if I can get an eyelet attachment for my machine.
Which make and model do you have?
At our house we LOVE our Crop-a-Dile for making the holes easily, and have had no problem with grommets pulling loose or fabric tearing beyond where it should.
Either a hole punch or my awl (http://www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com/boneawl.aspx). It really depends on the thickness of the fabric and how quickly I want to get the thing done.
A bone awl is on my wish list! Hardware store awls don't taper to that fabulous fat end, and I've found myself needing to use a pencil to widen the hole afterward (and I have actually worn a hexagonal pencil round by doing this!).
This sucks....
I really like the idea of grommets, but, I hate my life and everything that requires any effort.
Does anyone know of a magical spell that makes in-destructable grommets perfectly placed everytime?
Maybe Voo-Do or something, so I can get maximum results with minimal effort?
I have just started sewing, and the new moves never stop!!!
Like so many sewing processes, you just need to do them a few times and you start to wonder what all the fuss was about.
This is why I love my Simflex gauge for spacing buttons/holes/trims:
(https://www.thatssewconnie.com/images/11-19-simflex-lg.jpg)
And that nifty eyelet kit that makes stitched eyelets the nearest thing to effortless you can manage.
i need to go to the hardware store then and get a grommet tarp kit thingy that Gem suggested. I pretty much have my bodices 80% done except for the boning and grommets for lacing. sure i can use an awl and bind the edges, but you know me...hand sewing + me= nooooooooooooo!
Quote from: Tripletap on July 04, 2010, 04:27:32 AM
This sucks....
I really like the idea of grommets, but, I hate my life and everything that requires any effort.
Does anyone know of a magical spell that makes in-destructable grommets perfectly placed everytime?
Maybe Voo-Do or something, so I can get maximum results with minimal effort?
I have just started sewing, and the new moves never stop!!!
Yes, say no to grommets (they aren't period anyway) and embrace spiral lacing eyelets. You don't need to space them perfectly and it's the period way to lace up!
I am with you Isabella! Plus? Once you do like 20 of your own eyelets it does become a breeze. I love the spacer too, it is difficult to get in the US, but if you can pick it up? Do it helps with Cartridge Pleating as well. I use this method not just because it is more accurate, but because I am not cutting my fabric but using the awl to make a hole this way the fabric is not looking to split from around the hole and will not fray which also happens.
Here is an awesome how to guide on how to make eyelets:
http://renaissancetailor.com/demos_eyeletholes.htm (http://renaissancetailor.com/demos_eyeletholes.htm)
Here is another on spiral lacing, because it will stay laced while you are pulling and fitting!!! Really works!
http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/lacing/lacing.html (http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/lacing/lacing.html)
Cilean
I am swooning, yea verily swooning, over those lovely sewn lacing holes. Does anyone know if a buttonhole foot on the smallest setting will approximate the effect? My machine is a Brother . . . beginner's model I fear . . .
No. You make them by turning the fabric round a post. Watch the Bernina Video to see how. The only machines that currently have an attachment to do this are Pfaff, Husqvarna, and Bernina.
Thanks Kate! Well, they are gorgeous indeed but I may have to wait a while for those. :-)
Elna used to make eyelet attachments as well. I know they exist for my Mom's machine, but I have yet to successfully track down the proper parts.
I haven't been able to track down an Elna eyelet place newer than 30 years old. :(
And when you see them, they are SPENDY! ::)
QuoteYou make them by turning the fabric round a post. Watch the Bernina Video to see how. The only machines that currently have an attachment to do this are Pfaff, Husqvarna, and Bernina.
Would you happen to know the models of these machines, and which is cheapest?
I am gonna research deals.
Bernina have a version of their eyelet tool for each of the current models, as far as I can remember. The bit that is different for each of the five kits is the foot. You need to get the correct foot with the tool for the range of machines within Bernina that you buy.
As far as I am aware, the Pfaff eyelet plates come as separate items and you buy each one individually. I think there are three sizes. They should fit all the current models, but do check.
The two sizes of Husqvarna eyelet plate again should fit all the current models, but if you get an older one, check.
The kits and plates to dot fit the bought-in budget ranges of machine, only the main ranges of each brand.