Eyelets - a stylish and original decor for curtains, which allows you to create neat, uniform folds. Curtains with grommets organically fit both in the classic interior and in modern styles. Eyelets can be installed on any type of fabric, however, thin and airy materials are recommended to be additionally strengthened with a grommet for curtains. It allows you to protect the fabric from excessive load in the places of fastening of the eyelets, as well as create a beautiful wave of drapery. In the article we will talk about the advantages and types of ribbons, as well as how to sew a grommet ribbon without ruining the fabric.
Appointment
The tape is a strip of nylon with adhesive applied to it, and is intended to enhance the strength of the fabric in the places of installation of the eyelets. A grommet tape is produced from 5 to 15 cm wide. The width is selected based on the outer diameter of the eyelet plus 2-3 cm. Textiles reinforced with glue nylon will not deform and crumble next to the eyelet hole.
In addition to direct use, the tape is used to increase the strength and density of other types of curtains and garments. The grommet tape has proven itself in Roman blinds due to the neat folds created with its help. It is also used to strengthen Japanese curtains and extend their life. Upholstery hooks will better keep their shape if you reinforce the material with a nylon strip, and embroidery and applique on thin fabrics will look more accurate.
Benefits
The advantages of using include:
- Universality. The grommet is suitable for any type of fabric.
- The convenience of use. The strip is easy to attach to the fabric thanks to adhesive impregnation.
- Strength. Kapron increases the wear resistance of the fabric, does not allow it to crumble, and the applications and embroidery look more accurate and even.
- Elasticity. Folds reinforced with adhesive grommet tape look more even and beautiful.
Types of tapes
Tapes are made in different colors, however, white capron should be preferred. It will not stain the curtain fabric during washing and will not change its color over time. For thin draperies, a translucent grommet tape is suitable.
Nylon strips are available with single or double-sided adhesive application. In the first case, glue is applied only on one side of the tape. This strip is easy to use and suitable for any type of fabric. In the second embodiment, glue covers both sides of the tape. It may also have a protective net for the iron. When working with tape, one side is first glued, then the protective mesh is removed, the capron is wrapped with a cloth and the curtains are ironed again to fix the second side.
In addition to the above varieties, there is a so-called imitation of a grommet tape. It represents a strip of nylon on an adhesive basis, complemented by textile loops under the rod of the cornice. Such a tape is first glued to the curtains, and then additionally fixed with a sewing stitch. This variety does not require the installation of eyelets, and the curtain is mounted on the cornice due to the hinges.
Necessary materials and tools
Before you start gluing the tape to the curtain, you need to prepare the necessary materials and tools. You will need:
- Tape of the required width. The calculation is based on the external diameter of the eyelets planned for installation, plus 2-3 cm.
- Iron. The glue on the tape melts due to exposure to high temperature and reliably fixes nylon on the fabric.
- Baking paper. Useful if double-sided tape without a protective mesh has been selected. Direct contact of the glue with the iron will permanently spoil its sole.
- Sewing pins. They can fix the tape so that it does not move during operation.
- Sewing machine. It will be required for the final processing of seams.
Step-by-step instruction
The edge of the curtains is pre-treated, since after fixing the tape it will be problematic to do this. Two widths of tape are laid off from the seam and the fabric is folded in half. Using an iron, smooth out the crease. Then, in the resulting pocket, put the tape with an adhesive layer to the fabric and fix it with sewing pins to avoid shifts.
Using an iron, the tape is fixed to the fabric. The temperature should be selected for the type of textile. The iron is moved in “steps”, in no case with non-sliding movements, slightly pressing for firm fixation and lingering on one section for 8-10 seconds. Excessively long exposure to the iron or exceeding the required temperature contributes to the leakage of glue on the front side of the fabric. It is impossible to fix such a defect.
After the tape has been glued along its entire length, its edges are cut off and the pins removed. If a double-sided tape was taken for work, the protective mesh is removed from it, wrapped with a cloth and ironed in the same way as described above.
At the final stage, you should additionally fasten the tape using a sewing stitch. The latter is laid on the bottom of the tape at a distance of 1-2 mm from the edge.
The tape is securely fixed, now you can proceed with the installation of the eyelets.
Care Tips
Textiles reinforced with adhesive nylon tape should be washed by hand or in delicate mode. It is important to keep the wash temperature low so that the tape does not peel off. It is also undesirable to squeeze out the compacted areas, the tape may stray, and it will be impossible to level it. Ironing mode is selected based on the type of drapery fabric.
Experienced craftswomen do not recommend purchasing adhesive tape for future use, since over time the adhesive loses its properties and can change color when melted.
The grommet is a nylon glue strip that allows you to strengthen the fabric to obtain elastic, uniform folds. In addition, it is used to strengthen textile parts subject to intensive use. Compliance with the technology of gluing tape and recommendations for the care of curtains will allow beautiful draperies to please the owners for a long time.