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Eyelet pliers are an easy way to put eyelets into materials. This article will show you how to use them.
Steps
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1Cut a hole in your material where you want the eyelet to go. This hole needs to be just big enough to push your eyelet through. If it is too big the eyelet will fall out. [1] X Research source -
2Use a pad under the cloth to make a clean cut. The pad may be: a piece of hard leather ( see next photo ), an acrylic block like the cutting boards used in kitchens, a plastic floor tile or even a sheet of paper folded many times. Make sure you keep everything in place while making the hole !Advertisement -
3To cut the hole always put the pad under the "bad side" of the cloth. Exert strong pressure with the pliers or use a hammer to drive a hole with the eyelet punch. -
4Push the eyelet through the hole you have made. Do this from the right side of your material so the flat part of the eyelet is on the good side. -
5Tuck any loose threads under the flat part of the eyelet so they are not visible. -
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7Squeeze the pliers together. [4] X Research source -
8Take the pliers away and check that the eyelet is set as you want it. If it can be rotated in the material you will need to repeat the previous step with a little more force until it holds the material tightly.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I use the eyelet pliers for grommets?Community AnswerNo, grommets have a larger diameter than eyelets. You would need the correct size die to correspond with the size of the grommets that you are using. If you are using multiple sizes of grommets, you would need multiple sets of dies.
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QuestionIs it possible to make an eyelet hole in a canopy made from polyester fabric?Community AnswerYes, but you would want to reinforce the polyester before making the hole so that the cut threads do not unravel. Since the project is a canopy, the "eyelet" would actually be a grommet. Essentially, a grommet is the larger cousin to the eyelet. They have similar appearances, but their functions are different. An eyelet is smaller, comes in a variety of decorative colors, and has little strength. Eyelets are used for ribbons, light cords, laces, or decoration. Grommets are used for structural reinforcement to protect the fabric from tearing when exposed to stress. Grommets are used on tarps, shower curtains, canvas bags, canopies, tents, boat covers, etc.
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QuestionWhat can I use if I don't have an eyelet pliers?Community AnswerYou can use needle nose pliers to peel the edges down and then use a hammer on a hard surface to flatten it.
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Video
Things You'll Need
- Eyelet pliers
- Eyelets
- Material
- Scissors
Tips
- Double-check that your eyelet matches the size of your pliers. If it doesn’t, the eyelet may not crimp to the fabric correctly.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 324,013 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I bought my hole puncher a couple of years ago and hadn't used it up til now. Thankfully your info was great as I had lost the instructions and was baffled without your help." ..." more
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% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I bought my hole puncher a couple of years ago and hadn't used it up til now. Thankfully your info was great as I had lost the instructions and was baffled without your help."
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"I could never work out which way round the pliers should meet the eyelet; tried every which way but nothing seemed to work. Sorted now, thanks to you!"
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"I'm not very good with written instructions, so I looked through the pictures real quick and learned what I needed to know. Thank you."
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"Step 6 was helpful. I was using the pliers the wrong way. Loved the pictures and the step-by-step instructions. Thank you."
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"I know what materials I need now and how easy it is to do."
