How to Put Eyelets on a Bodice

An installed eyelet.

Eyelets are also known as grommets, and they are reinforced holes placed in clothing, such as a bodice, for the purpose of lacing it up. Old-fashioned bodices used eyelets readily, and they are found on all sorts of costumes, such as those for a Renaissance fair. Eyelets need to be installed into fabric with some weight to it, or the eyelets will simply be too heavy to stay and may fall out. Bodices usually have thick enough fabric to hold eyelets in place.

Things You'll Need

• Eyelet punch
• Ruler
• Fabric chalk
• Awl

Instructions

1. Measure along the edge of your bodice where you want the eyelets to be, about 1 inch from the edge of the bodice. Space each eyelet evenly, about 1 inch apart and mark each place for the eyelet with your fabric chalk.

2. Poke a small hole in the fabric chalk marks for each eyelet with the awl. Make sure the hole is smaller than the eyelet will be.

3. Place the eyelet inside of the hole with the solid metal side on the outside of the bodice.

4. Place the eyelet punch over the eyelet and squeeze it shut to flatten the eyelet in place. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on all of the eyelets for the bodice.

References

• Cyber Seams: How to Attach an Eyelet - Attaching Grommets
• You Sew Girl: Eyelet Tutorial