How to Add Grommets

Hey everyone – happy Monday!  I’m making my first appearance over on the Therm O Web blog today with a tutorial for a Valentine Pocket and an Organizer Wall Pocket. 



These are both quick projects and use fat quarters and fabric scraps.

You can use the one tutorial to make either style of pocket – I’ve made several of these wall pockets for my family so far and the kids loved choosing their own fabrics.

I thought the Valentine pocket would be fun for our family to use to leave little notes and treats for each other between now and Valentine’s Day.  Maybe that’s just wishful thinking.  Maybe I’ll just leave notes and treats for myself.  Ha!

I used grommets for both the Valentine pocket and the wall pockets.  I love the look of grommets and I appreciate the durability they add as well.  For those of you who have never used grommets, I wanted to show you just how easy they are!

First of all, you need to get a grommet KIT.  The kit will be similar to this and include not just the grommets, but also the tools you need. 

For this project this is what I’ll be using  - two sets of grommet pieces (grommet and washer), and a taller tool (a setter) and a shorter tool (the anvil).  Oh, and a hammer.

Using the taller grommet, place it on your fabric and using a pencil trace around the inside of the opening.

Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out that circle.  I like to keep just a bit to the inside of the drawn circle. 

Push the tall grommet piece through that opening.  It should be nice and snug.

Now head outside to a find a nice, hard surface.  I have used the tile in my entry way before, but I was nervous that I would crack a tile.  I prefer to use my front steps – even when it’s cccccoold outside!  Just be sure that the surface you place your fabric on is fairly clean or use a towel to protect it from dirt.

Place the flat grommet tool (anvil) down and set the grommet onto it.  Both are grooved and you’ll feel them sort of lock into place.

Then place the thinner grommet piece (the washer) on top of that with the spikes pointing toward your fabric.

Grab the taller tool piece (the setter) and place it in the center of the grommet – it also sort of locks in place.

Now grab your favorite hammer and give the setter a few good whacks.  Check to see that the grommet is fully set and if not, whack it a few more times.  I call this hammer therapy.  Stress relief baby!

And there you go!  A couple of lovely grommets!  And this my friends, is what happens when I ask my photographer (a.k.a. husband) to get a “finished” shot.  You get to see way more than just the finished grommets.  At least I’m smiling, right?

Grommets are great for all sorts of things – bags, curtains, aprons…  I’ve even added grommets to a duvet cover to give it a bit more personality.  They were purely cosmetic, but gave it a great finished look.  What do YOU grommet?