Bodice Eyelet Size

[shellyratelle]

I'm making a bodice as part of my garb. The pattern doesn't specify size of the eyelets used to tie the bodice front and sides. Does anyone have suggestions? I'm new to this and will be attending my first faire dressed in October. Thank you!

[Syrilla]

I suggest you use 2 piece grommets as the one piece eyelet may pull out.  The best size is 00, but if you can not find that then a 0 will do fine.  It's the normal size that you get at joanns and such..  Hard ware stores have better ones, and better applicators.

[GirlChris]

Syrilla: at the fabric stores around here, they sell at least three sizes of eyelets (not including the humongous ones in the home dec department)- 1/4", 5/16" and 7/16". Which ones do you mean?

[Syrilla]

Ideally you want less than 1/4", but if that is what they have, the Two piece 1/4" will do great.

[isabelladangelo]

I just use a hole puncher and then stitch the edges so they will stay.   I also have an awl I like to use.   I don't use grommets because they do come out on occasion (and ruin the fabric in the process) and it's not h/a.  You can also try lacing rings (metal circles) which are easy to sew on and if they pop you can sew it back, unlike a grommet.  If a grommet pops, it rips your entire piece of fabric and you have to start over.   Ugh.

[Kate XXXXXX]

I'm another stitched eyelet fan.  Fibro means I usually do them by machine, with one of these kits for my Bernina:


Or this nifty eyelet plate for my Husqvarna:


Both make eyelets that come out like this:



The great thing about the Bernina kit is that it has six different sizes included.  The downside it the price of the kit! (Currently £95 RRP).  The Husqvarna plates come in two sizes (4mm and 6mm), and cost £9 each.

Pfaff also do an eyelet plate for some of their machines:

These come as 4.5mm, 6.5mm and 8.5mm, for £8.99 for the set.

Here's a handy How To from Pfaff: http://www.sewingmachine-sales.co.uk/sewing_machine_info/video/41/eyelet-plate.html  (You don't HAVE to hoop the fabric to sew eyelets when doing garb!)

[Dinobabe]

Wow!  If we all had that kit we would probably all do eyelets!
They are beautiful.

[Genievea Brookstone]

Wow!  If we all had that kit we would probably all do eyelets!
They are beautiful.

I agree those are just so beautiful.  I would hand stitch mine it my hand didnt cramp up after 2 minutes

[Kate XXXXXX]

Thanks.  It rakes a bit of practice, but once you get your hands taught, they go quite quickly.  I like to use silk thread for the eyelets, either YLI or Coates Seta Reale.  Rayon embroidery thread works well too.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Wow!  If we all had that kit we would probably all do eyelets!
They are beautiful.

I agree those are just so beautiful.  I would hand stitch mine it my hand didnt cramp up after 2 minutes

The fibro means that I often cannot do much hand stitching.  I love my eyelet plates and kit.   

[gem]

Kate, OMG!  I'm so glad you posted this; I COMPLETELY FORGOT that I bought the eyelet plate for my Viking!  And here I was going to hand-stitch all the eyelets for Promenade; what was I thinking?! LOL

[Syrilla]

Does anyone have a tissue handy so I can wipe up the drool.  I want!!!!

[gypsylakat]

that's sooo pretty! but I must say I rather like sewing eyelets... it's very zen imo

[Kate XXXXXX]

that's sooo pretty! but I must say I rather like sewing eyelets... it's very zen imo

One of my major sorrows and frustrations is that I cannot do so much by hand because of the fibro.   

[Kate XXXXXX]

Kate, OMG!  I'm so glad you posted this; I COMPLETELY FORGOT that I bought the eyelet plate for my Viking!  And here I was going to hand-stitch all the eyelets for Promenade; what was I thinking?! LOL

Too tied up with embroidery and button loops?

Go on - play!  You'll soon master it, and never bang another grommet into a bodice again!