Let's talk about hand-bound eyelets

[gem]

I was (and still am!) hoping to do the eyelets in my kirtle by machine, but it's looking like that might not be possible, given the combination/order of boning/construction/binding/lining/etc. So... if I do end up doing them by hand, does anyone have tips for making them look tidier/neater?

I know HOW to do them, but my technique is not terrific (my holes get all squashed).

Gramercy!

[Lady Rebecca]

Push the awl through to make a hole a little bit bigger than you want it to be in the end (and push it from outside to inside). Then when you start doing the eyelet, go around the circle so that there's about 5 or 6 stitches spaced out around the whole circle. I find that that helps to keep the eyelet round. Sometimes, after that, you might want to push the awl through again, but it's not usually necessary (only if the fabric layers are really thick). Then go back around the whole eyelet, covering all of the inside with thread. As far as the thread goes, I tend to use four strands of thicker hand-sewing thread, so that it covers the edges a little more quickly.

[Cilean]

Do you have lacing rings? I make my eyelets by adding the ring and then binding the thread around it and it keeps the space open of course I also use the awl over and over to open it.

Cilean

[Marietta Graziella]

Darn it darn it!  I can't find the link...  It was posted a long time ago. A link with perfect and exact instruction for making hand bound eyelets look perfect every time.  Does anyone have this?!?

[DonaCatalina]

Do you have lacing rings? I make my eyelets by adding the ring and then binding the thread around it and it keeps the space open of course I also use the awl over and over to open it.

Cilean

I have had the most success with this method before I gave up and went to buttonholes.

[Lady Kett]

I have this one bookmarked, Marietta.

[gem]

Thanks, all. I did some tests last night, and my hand-done ones don't look appreciably different than my machine-done ones--so my technique must be better than I thought! LOL

I did have a couple of questions, though...

How do you know what size washers or rings to use? I'm using a tapered all that goes to about 6 mm (? I think? Whatever size my machine eyelet plate is). Do I just bring a sample with me to the hardware store and find something about right?

Has anyone tried lightly marking the circle for a guide for the basting? Would you do that before or after opening up the hole with the awl?

And any recommendations for needles? The sharps I have currently aren't big enough for the thicker threads or strong enough to penetrate 4 layers of heavy fabric.

[gem]

Just an update to say I've started the eyelets on the purple damask kirtle.

Two down...

...Twenty-eight to go. 

[Sorcha]

Pictures please.

[Marietta Graziella]

I have this one bookmarked, Marietta.

That's the one!!!  Thank you for posting-again!  I have book marked-again-and hope I don't lose it this time.