Adding Eyelets To Suede

[Kindaki]

I am making some suede pouches and want to add eyelets to the holes in the top so the cord goes through easier and it looks nicer. I am having a problems with the eyelets I have and am wondering if there are special ones for cloth that I should be using or if I maybe need to reinforce the holes with a second layer of suede or a small piece of veg tan. The eyelets keeps coming out is what my problem is. any advice is helpful, thanks.

[WinterBear]

You might try grommets instead. Unlike eyelets, they sandwich the leather between two flat disks, and it's harder for them to pull free. When I am using the grommets in thin leather, I punch a hole just a touch too small for the neck of the grommet, then apply a small amount of contact cement to the inside flange of the grommet, just below the neck. I wait until it gets tacky, then force the neck through the hole with my hands and make sure the leather is firmly rubbed down onto the glued flange. I then put a little cement on the inner flange of the second part of the grommet and wait for it to get tacky, then place it glued side down, press it firmly with my fingers until I am sure the glue grabs the leather. Then I set the grommet. This gives me a strong, secure finished hole, where the hardware is both attached with glue and secured mechanically with two wide disks on either side of the hole rather than just on one side of the hole.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/1283-048.aspx

[Tree Reaper]

You can try and shorten the stem of the eyelet to compensate for the thinner suede.

Keep the hole small as mentioned above.

[Kindaki]

grommets sound like what i am looking for and gluing them as you set is a great idea to make sure everything is going to stay together. where else can i find grommets other then tandy? think a fabric store or hardware store will carry what i need?

[WinterBear]

I think just about any leather supply with hardware will have them if you don't want to use Tandy. Make sure that you specify 2-part grommets, or you might get a bag sans washers (essentially big eyelets).

I'd avoid the fabric ones personally, unless you get the ones meant for duck canvas or heavy denim. Grommets made for lighter fabrics aren't always solid brass and may be a metal that can corrode when in contact with leathers. I also find them to be weaker, and they don't hold up well at all, especially their finish, so unless they are sturdy enough for duck canvas, pass them by. If it is a grommet for any kind of paper or scrapbooking, they won't hold up to a lot of use and are too light or a material. Ones meant for scrapbooks will deform easily when under day-to-day use, such as the drawstring of a leather bag. Hardware stores may carry them, but they are more likely to be carrying those for tarps, and are usually in sizes that are too large. Usually they'll have some less than 1" in diameter, but the smaller ones are usually still too large for drawstrings and braided leather cords. You may also want to try marina supply for grommets meant for boat canvas, like sailrite.com or if there is something local.

[Kindaki]

thanks so much