How to Put Grommets On Drapes

I was working on a design project and I found drapery panels with the prefect color and pattern, but for the style of drapery installation the client had, any drapes I found would have to have grommets. Unfortunately the ones I adored didn't. So, I thought to myself, why limit my options? I'll just put the darn grommets on myself! AND, I'm sharing with you lovely folks how I did it and how you can do it, too! :)

Now some of you may be thinking, what the heck is a grommet? Well, a grommet is is a durable ring that can be inserted in a hole in a fabric. See illustration of drapes with grommets below. Not only are they stylish, they make drapery installation easy. Drapes with grommets are also totally in fashion when it comes to home decor.

So, how do you add grommets? Simple! Here are step-by-step instructions to get started.

Step one:Select the grommets you want to add to your drapes. You can get them at any crafts store or order them online. Be sure to note any extra tools you may need and follow the instructions! Some require the use of an anvil and setting tool and others call for grommet pliers. See images below:

Step Two:
Lay your drapes out backside up so that any marks you make will not be visible on the front. Decide how far you want your grommets to be from the edge of both sides of the drapes and use the grommet as a stencil to draw the circle that you will need to cut out. I have an example I did on a smaller piece of fabric with small grommets as an illustration below.

Step Three:
When it comes to adding the rest of the grommets in the middle, you can do it in two ways.

1. You can measure the space you have between the grommets you will place on the ends and divide it by the diameter of the grommets, then decide how many and how far you want them apart. Or...

2. You can eyeball it! If you have the drapes laid out, you can easily place grommets across the top and move them back and forth or add grommets until it looks right to you. Then, you can mark the holes and cut them out.

Step Four:
Use the hammer and anvil or the grommet pliers to secure them in place. For this part, I will refer you to the instructions on the grommet set you purchased. The instructions will vary depending on the tools called for to secure the grommets. In my example below, I bought a set that uses the anvil and hammer technique. Be sure you put the front side of the grommet on the front side of the drapes!

Voilà!

You have just put a fabulous grommet on your drapes! Yay!

I hope you enjoyed this post! Feel free leave any questions or comments.

Want KMW Interiors to decorate or stage your home? Visit www.kmwinteriors.com for more info or contact us at (310) 592-9083.