Eyelets

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Thu May 09, 2002 7:09 pm

Did they exist in period?

Hushgirl · Post by **Hushgirl** » Thu May 09, 2002 7:17 pm

Metal bound rivetty ones?

No.

Hand-bound-with-thread-buttonholey ones?

Yuppers.

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Thu May 09, 2002 7:23 pm

I just read that Janet Arnold mentions the metal ones being period for at least Elizabethan, wrapped with thread of course.

Gwen · Post by **Gwen** » Thu May 09, 2002 8:57 pm

The16th C eyelets from Arnold are actually a soldered ring (like a chainmaille ring, but soldered shut) which is bound into an eyelet so the metal is completely covered with thread.

A "grommet" like object is found on belts and other leather goods (but not clothing) during the Middle Ages. It is a one-piece tube with the ends piened open over the leather on either side.

The interlocking ones commonly seen on RenFaire bodices and tarps are a product of the Industrial Revolution, when sheet metal objects could be die-stamped out to precise tolerances.

Hope that helps!

Gwen

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Thu May 09, 2002 11:07 pm

So, Elizabethan eyelets are really just metal reinforcing rings for round holes?

The medieval "grommets" are more like large tube rivets?

Am I understanding this right? Any dates for the "grommets"?

Yes, it is helpful.

James B. · Post by **James B.** » Fri May 10, 2002 8:05 am

I am currently replacing my grommets and eyelets myself. I found that if you use a real thick thread and make a nice 12 or 14 even loop through aground the hole it will hold well. I use the pictures in Medieval Military Costume as my example to work from. I know grommets are real easy, but they never look period. Now that I am becoming a garb nazi (at least as far as my garb is concerned) I really dislike the look of grommets. I go to events and see really nice court garb that grommets in it all I can think of is a ren fair.

Flonzy

------------------
Cheap garb is as bad as plastic armor.

Langdon · Post by **Langdon** » Fri May 10, 2002 12:27 pm

Here is a link to some belt eyelets. they are toward the bottom of the page.

http://www.billyandcharlie.com/studs.html

The reference is from the Dress Accessories book on the Thames river archelogical dig in London. This meerly shows that eyelets were known and used in some circumstances. I would not think they would be used on clothing for lacing holes though. BTW billy and charlie are the makers and they do very nice and quite accurate pieces. A further explination of who they are is at their home page.

Langdon