How to Use Eyelet Pliers

Download Article

Co-authored by Alterations Express and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: September 2, 2022 Approved

Download Article

Eyelet pliers are an easy way to put eyelets into materials. This article will show you how to use them.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/P1000428.JPG\/460px-P1000428.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/P1000428.JPG\/728px-P1000428.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1

Cut 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}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/DSCF5957.JPG\/460px-DSCF5957.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/DSCF5957.JPG\/728px-DSCF5957.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2

Use 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
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/DSCF5963.JPG\/460px-DSCF5963.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/DSCF5963.JPG\/728px-DSCF5963.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3

To 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.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/P1000430.JPG\/460px-P1000430.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/P1000430.JPG\/728px-P1000430.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4

Push 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.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/P1000429.JPG\/460px-P1000429.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/P1000429.JPG\/728px-P1000429.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

5

Tuck any loose threads under the flat part of the eyelet so they are not visible.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/P1000431.JPG\/460px-P1000431.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/P1000431.JPG\/728px-P1000431.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

6

Align your eyelet pliers . ^{[2]
X
Research source} The flat (good) side of your eyelet should sit in the slightly curved side of the pliers, while the tube (bad) side of the eyelet should be aligned with the "pointed" side of the pliers. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/P1000432.JPG\/460px-P1000432.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/P1000432.JPG\/728px-P1000432.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

7

Squeeze the pliers together. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/P1000435.JPG\/460px-P1000435.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/P1000435.JPG\/728px-P1000435.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/P1000434.JPG\/460px-P1000434.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/P1000434.JPG\/728px-P1000434.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

8

Take 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.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I use the eyelet pliers for grommets?

Community Answer

No, 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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 10
Question

Is it possible to make an eyelet hole in a canopy made from polyester fabric?

Community Answer

Yes, 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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 20
Question

What can I use if I don't have an eyelet pliers?

Community Answer

You can use needle nose pliers to peel the edges down and then use a hammer on a hard surface to flatten it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 12

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

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
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Log in

How to Use Eyelet Pliers

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Things You'll Need

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories