How to Grommet & Lace a T-Shirt
Grommets are small metal rings that cover holes in fabric. They're used on everything from sails for boats to corsets to create a secure point for string or rope to pass through fabric. In modern times, grommets are a fashion statement, lending a punk-rock feel to garments and accessories. You can jazz up a plain T-shirt by adding some grommets and lacing in an afternoon.
Things You'll Need
- Iron-on interfacing
- Iron
- Scissors
- Craft knife
- Grommet tool
- Grommets
- Rubber mallet
- String or shoelace
Instructions
-
-
1
Select the location for the grommets on your T-shirt. Common places include the neckline of a V-neck shirt, up the small of the back, or on either side under the arms. Cut a slit in the shirt to create two separate flaps of fabric at your chosen location.
-
2
Iron a strip of interfacing onto each side of your cut to create a sturdy base for your grommets. Use the ruler to measure out equal intervals in the fabric and mark them with the pencil. Place the cutting mat underneath the T-shirt to protect your work surface and make a tiny incision at each location with the craft knife.
-
-
3
Place a grommet bottom on the shaft of your grommet tool and insert the shaft into one of the incisions in the fabric. Place the top of the grommet between the shirt and the top half of the grommet tool and strike the tool with the mallet to seal the grommet. Repeat until all of the holes are covered.
-
4
Cut a length of string or shoelace and thread it through the bottom pair of holes in your shirt. Lace up the grommets as you would a shoe, pulling the lacings tightly as you go. Tie the string in a knot or a bow and trim off any excess material.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
