How to Add Eyelets to the Breeze Shirt

Adding eyelets and ties to the Breeze Shirt creates a look that will appeal to adventurous little swashbucklers and dragon riders.  We love how this option offers the fun of wearing a costume, but the every-day wearability of a comfortable, practical, and good-looking shirt!

While eyelets are not part of the child's Breeze Shirt pattern, many have asked how to add them, so here is a general how-to.  Please be aware that adding ties to a child's garment may not be safety compliant in many countries.  It is recommended to keep the loose tie length to a maximum of 14cm.

 

If you have never used eyelets before, we would recommend practicing on a piece of scrap fabric first!

Materials:
  • Erasable fabric marker
  • Ruler
  • A length of cord or ribbon to use for the tie
  • Eyelets (6mm is a good size for the Breeze)
  • KAM snap press or pliers, with eyelet die

Finish the facing on your Breeze Shirt before applying the eyelets.  

Breeze Shirt Sewing Pattern by Twig + Tale - How to add eyelets

1.  Using an erasable fabric pen, mark the location of the centre point for each eyelet.  Use a ruler to ensure that the marks are evenly spaced:

Breeze Shirt Sewing Pattern by Twig + Tale - How to add eyelets

2.  The die for applying the eyelets comes in two parts: one part punches the hole and the other presses the eyelet.  To begin, insert the hole punch into the press and punch the holes, centred over the marks made in the previous step.  

Breeze Shirt Sewing Pattern by Twig + Tale - How to add eyelets

3.  Position the ring part of the eyelet so it is on the outside of the shirt:

Breeze Shirt Sewing Pattern by Twig + Tale - How to add eyelets

4.  Switch the die to the eyelet press.  Place the fabric and ring on the press with the right side facing down - the ring will be on the bottom.  Place the back part of the eyelet (this side is usually flatter) on top and press.  

Breeze Shirt Sewing Pattern by Twig + Tale - How to add eyelets

5.  Repeat until all eyelets have been applied.  

Breeze Shirt Sewing Pattern by Twig + Tale - How to add eyelets

6.  Thread the tie through the eyelets.  For safety, ties should be kept as short as possible.  To gauge a good length, stretch the neck opening as wide as it will go and have the ties finish at that length.

Breeze Shirt Sewing Pattern by Twig + Tale - How to add eyelets

7.  The ties should be no longer than 14cm.  Knot each end of the tie to avoid having it pull out.  It is recommended to stitch the tie to the shirt near one of the bottom eyelets to prevent it from shifting about and having a longer loose tie length on one side.  

Breeze Shirt Sewing Pattern by Twig + Tale - How to add eyelets

All done!  We hope your little ones enjoy many imaginative adventures wearing their eyelet-laced Breeze Shirts.  

Have you made a Breeze Shirt, or are you planning to?  Please feel free to join us in the Twig + Tale Facebook group to ask questions, look for inspiration, and of course to share photos of your creations.

Read more about the Breeze Shirt here: