How to Make the Holes for Grommets

Setting grommets requires punching a small hole in fabric.

Grommets, also occasionally called eyelets, are small metal rings that fit through holes in fabric and clip together with a back washer. Grommets are used to reinforce and strengthen the holes, and protect both the surrounding fabric and whatever is threaded through the hole. Installing grommets at home is relatively easy. Most fabric stores carry grommet kits that contain the grommets, washers and a setting anvil. Piercing the holes for the grommets is a straightforward task.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Wood working surface
• Fabric marker
• Awl
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

1. Spread the fabric out on a wooden work surface. Mark the desired placement of your grommets with a fabric marker.

2. Hold an awl in your non-dominant hand. Place the point onto one grommet placement mark. Hold a rubber mallet in your dominant hand, and hammer lightly onto the top of the awl, like you are gently hammering a nail. Continue until the tip punches through the fabric.

3. Wiggle the awl slightly to widen the hole, then remove. Repeat this process for each grommet hole. Set grommets following the directions provided by a grommet kit.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid becoming over-zealous when wiggling the awl to widen the hole. You don't want to widen it too much or the grommet won't fit. You can tighten wide holes with a few stitches that will be covered by the grommet, but it's a good idea to practice on scrap fabric first.

References

• Thomas Publishing Company: What is a Grommet?
• Farthingales Fabrics: Basic Grommet Setting Tips