For apparel, bags, athletic gear, etc., the go-to grommet style are the ubiquitous metal circles with some type of rope or cording woven through at a closure point. These metal classics are a go-to here at Sew4Home as well, but they’re not the only option. For some applications, especially those that need a rather large grommeted opening, we like the Dritz® Home Snap-On Plastic Curtain Grommets. Although they are traditionally associated with curtains, they are a great solution for a variety of projects. We outline the easy installation steps for the plastic grommets and have collected links for a number of our tutorials that feature them.
Clockwise: Retro Diner Bucket Bag, Nursery Panel Curtains, Large Tissue Box Cover, and Crossbody Canvas Bucket Tote.
The installation of metal grommets involves a setting tool of some sort in order to seal the two halves to one another (we have a full tutorial on metal grommets if you’d like to learn more), but the Dritz Home Grommets require NO tools. You’re sold already, right?!
They come in various colors and finishes so you’ll have no problem matching your selected fabric. The two basic sizes are 1″ and 1-9/16″ (so nearly 1½”).
Clockwise: Nautical Stripes & Grommets Pillow, Classic Grommeted Curtain Panel, French Market Tote, and Hanging Sewing Caddy.
Since this product was designed for home décor projects that require numerous grommets, such as curtains and panels, they are packaged in sets of eight. As shown in our tutorial images above and below, their uses beyond this are many and varied. We never worry about having a few leftover.
Clockwise: Car Seat Caddy, Kid’s Nine-Pocket Caddy, One Hour Wonder: The Placemat Tote, and Square Tissue Box Cover.
Grommeted curtains are usually associated with a modern style interior. However, we’ve noticed them in home furnishing stores and catalogs in fabric styles that blend with all types of interiors. It’s likely because they are such an easy way to hang a curtain from a rod, they’re functional (you can actually open and close the curtain without sweating), and they look clean and sleek.
Fast, fashionable, and functional… that hits all the right points! The steps are detailed below. The plastic see-through template we show in our photos is included in each packaged set. It makes positioning a snap.
For our sample test, we’re installing the grommets on a bathroom shower curtain
- To start, pair the grommets. There’s actually a front (‘raised center’ side) and a back (‘prong’ side).
- Use the included plastic template to mark the position of each grommet on the header of your curtain. Grommets are a final step, which means your panel should be finished and ready to hang prior to marking and inserting the grommets. The template has a cross-hair to help determine the center of each circle. However, we felt it would be even more helpful if the template had a small center hole for marking. So, we used an awl to make that hole.
- Determine the overall positioning of your grommets across the top of your curtain, making note of the distance from center point to center point. Using a see-through ruler and the template, we marked the center points and traced the inner ring of circles.
- We recommend running a zig zag stitch around the marked circle before cutting it out. Why? Because we know these grommets easily snap on and off for laundering. Cool. But, we wanted to be sure the fabric wouldn’t fray when we washed our panel. The zig zag reinforces the cut edges.
- Cut out the circle close to the zigzag stitching. Fold the sewn circle in half and make a ½” slit. Then, cut around the circle.
- The circle cut out doesn’t have to be perfect; it will be hidden by the grommet.
- With the wrong side facing up, insert the grommet halves. Place the ‘raised center’ side of the grommet through the cut circle from back to front so the ridge of the ring pokes up around the inside edge of the circle.
- Snap the ‘prong’ side of the grommet on to complete. Done!
- If you decide to remove your grommets for laundering, just find a small flathead screwdriver or even a letter opener. Slide the end of the tool into the tiny slot on the back side of the grommet. Twist the screwdriver slightly, and the grommet will snap off.
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I love these grommets and 1st heard of them here. Thanks for a good working idea!
Hi Kim – you are so welcome. They are useful for a lot of different projects. Have fun.