> grommets in the back of a bodice. I have never
used grommets,
> and the only ones I can find do not come with
instructions. Can
> anyone help me with some basic instructions as to
type, placement and
> application?

Here's a link for pure grommeting and the types of
machine... it's not total basics... but...
http://www.farthingales.on.ca/tips.htm should help a
bit. Look at both the instructions for eyelets and
grommets. The difference according to her
instructions is that the eyelet has only one part and
the grommets two.


Folks... scrough out there w/ your Ren-fair and SCA
links... find us a nice link or three about bodice
backs and grommetting. I know they're out there.
(And it's a good way you can contribute.)


Real quickly. make sure you've got an extra layer or
two of fabric back there to take a bit of stess off.
Besides lining, I sometimes just cut the ends really
long (2 inches) and turn that under so I have 4-6
layers of cotton. (But that's my old theatrilcal
training talking.) You want to put a bone or
rigileen (or soemthing stiff) in the very edge near
the back seam. Your gromets sits back away from the
bone... inch, inch and a half..

You grommet tool will come with a punch. Some folks
say use a smaller punch and "worrie" the groments in
by pushing threads assisde. You don't need to worry
about that unless you're making something for a whole
lot of use (Heavy re-enactment, etc.)

When you punch have a rubber mat under you (or wood
block, even a piece of a 2x4) so your tool can go
though the fabric and into the wood. Else you'll
dull your cutter.

You want a ruuber mallet or a rawhide mallet (not
hammer) for closing the gromets, unless you're using
a hand press tool. DON'T SUBSTITUE here and try to
use a hammer... borrow. (Groments that go in
wrong... which they will with a hammer, are almost
impossible to get out... OK , short of 1/2 hour w/ a
pair of plyers... and much patience to not tear the
hole.)

-Cat-