How to Set Eyelets with Confidence

Video class

This video is for members

Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.

What you’ll make

Learn to set a clean, centered metal eyelet in fabric or plastic without warping the hardware or damaging your project.

This practical finish works well wherever cords or ties pass through a project, such as backpacks, drawstring garments, sweatshirts, and toiletry bags.

What you’ll learn in this class

Recognize the eyelet parts and the tools used to cut and set them.
Choose when a woven or knit fabric needs interfacing for support.
Mark and open the hole neatly without damaging the surrounding material.
Finish the opening with small scissors if the punch only leaves a clear mark.
Position the eyelet and concave washer in the correct orientation.
Keep the pieces centered and set the hardware without distortion.
Adapt the technique for plastic, which may cut more cleanly with the punch.

Fabric and materials

The demonstration covers woven and knit fabrics as well as plastic. Fabrics with a woven or knitted structure benefit from a small piece of interfacing behind the eyelet area.

You’ll also see a metal eyelet kit with its matching punch, base, and setting tool. A pair of small scissors helps when the punch marks the circle but does not cut through completely.

Make it your own

Choose an eyelet color that suits your project, then use the technique on fabric or nonwoven materials such as plastic, cork, or Kraft-Tex.

This short visual class highlights the small details that make eyelets look polished: supporting the material, creating a neat opening, orienting each part, and setting it securely.

It is a useful reference whenever you need to add an eyelet without risking the work you have already completed.

Pattern & materials

Patterns are included with membership

Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.