Grommets vs Bound Eyelets

[Rowan MacD]

   I'm debating whether to use grommets or eyelets on my new bodice.  I have about 38 holes to do.  If I choose eyelets, could I fudge it a little and just sew small button holes?
  I did sew boning along the edges of the openings to re enforce area.  The grommets would have to be gold and 1/4 inch (0.250)

[Kate XXXXXX]

Sew the eyelets.  Buttonholes are not as strong and gold grommets would be just...  Wrong!   

[Rowan MacD]

   What stitch would be best for that?  Blanket or just a sort of whip stitch?

[gem]

I just whipped mine. Make sure you have a good tapered awl, AND a sturdy thimble.

[operafantomet]

I've bound the grommets for some of my projects, and find that I like that the most. I get the sturdiness of the grommets, and the finish of handmade eyelets. You can see it in my Unicorn dress (here in making):



I bound them with buttonhole thread and tight blanket stitch. For the Unicorn one the grommets I choose were a bit small once bound. The thread/stitches fills out quite a bit. So the next time I tried it I choose one size bigger, and I was more happy with that. It looks like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/pavonazzo/blueflor1.jpg

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I go the easier route. I have grommets put in. Then I use an embroidery floss in the color closest to the fabric to cover them. With the thickness of the Bodices I make, Grommets hold very well under a lot of stress than hand done eyelts would take.

[DonaCatalina]

I learned to hate grommets because the sharper metal edges eventually cut through any whip stitching I did around them. I prefer eyelets for mostly that reason; but I can also get away with smaller holes.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Thanks for that, silverstash. I will use that for less thick items.

The thicknesses of the Bodices I make are 5 to 6 layers thick. 2 to 3 layers of Canvas Duck, lining, fashion fabric(underlined if thin). Grommetting works best for me in this case. Covering them with embroidery floss is easier. I have never had a grommet pop out. My Shoe repair guy does a fantastic job.

[Rowan MacD]

  Thanks for that last idea Silverstah and Lady K.
  I don't have a grommet machine and hand setting them is hit and miss for me (literally).  I have a shoe repair guy here in town who resoles ghillies.  I could see if he would do them on his machine if I need to.  
  I don't use my bodice for support, so eyelets would work fine since there would be no stress on the laces.  They are only to close the seam and provide flexibility for a smooth fit over the corset and chemise or partlet.  I will probably use a narrow silk cord to lace with.
  I am dispatching hubby to Home Depot for a new awl and Wally World for a cheap set of large knitting needles to make holes with...

[isabelladangelo]

I learned to hate grommets because the sharper metal edges eventually cut through any whip stitching I did around them. I prefer eyelets for mostly that reason; but I can also get away with smaller holes.

This!  And that whole accuracy thing and the look thing - it's easier to ignore some small holes that are bound in some same colored thread than it is "Oh! Shiny!" grommets.

[raevyncait]

One of my friends who does costuming uses grommets and, depending on how accurate it MUST look, either stitches over them, or paints them with nail polish that matches the fabric.

[Rowan MacD]

One of my friends who does costuming uses grommets and, depending on how accurate it MUST look, either stitches over them, or paints them with nail polish that matches the fabric.

That's a great idea!

[Kate XXXXXX]

I still love my machine stitched eyelets...

[Rowan MacD]

I still love my machine stitched eyelets...

I would machine stitch them in a heartbeat.   How do you do it?

[theatrekat]

I'll second the machine bound eyelets. I love how my bernina does them.

-kat