How to Use a Grommet Maker

Grommets come in a wide variety of sizes and materials.

Grommets are found in curtains, shoes and many other products. The metal rings that the laces on a shoe pass through are grommets. So are the large metal rings on curtains, where the rod passes through them. Grommets protect fabric and other materials from wear and tear and are made in many different sizes and from various materials. The most common grommet maker is a hand press grommet maker, that must be secured to a bench to work properly. Grommet makers are available for purchase at most online and local hardware and craft stores.

Things You'll Need

• Grommet hole puncher
• Scissors
• Exact-O knife
• Washer
• Grommet

Instructions

1. Mark your fabric with a pencil or pen where the center of the grommet will be inserted.

2. Adjust your grommet hole puncher to the correct size and punch a hole at the mark on the fabric with the grommet hole puncher. If the fabric is too thick, the hole puncher will leave a strong impression on the fabric. In this case, use an exacto knife and cut an X in the center of the circular impression made by the hole puncher and remove the fabric in the center.

3. Place a washer on the bottom die of the grommet maker. The bottom die is the small column in the center of the machine on the bottom platform. The washer should be placed on the die so that it is shaped like a bowl that can hold a liquid.

4. Fit the grommet into the hole that you made in the fabric. The grommet should be positioned so that it is on the outside of the fabric. For example, for a shoe the washer will be on the inside of the shoe while the grommet should be on the side of the fabric that will be on the outside of the shoe.

5. Place the fabric with the grommet fitted inside of the hole onto bottom die of the grommet maker machine. The grommet should be facing upwards. Line up the grommet with the washer on the bottom die.

6. Pull the lever on the top of the grommet machine slowly to force the washer and grommet together.

7. Inspect the grommet to ensure it was pressed evenly and made properly.

References

• Grommets Online: Grommet Maker; Gary Henshaw; 2010
• Curbly: DIY: Ten Minute Grommet Workshop
• Metal Grommets: Products; Attaching Machines

Resources

• Farthingales: Basic Grommet Setting Tips