Eyelets in a Snap
THE CROP-A-DILE PUNCHES NEAT HOLES AND SETS EYELETS – AND I LOVE IT!
By Judy Newman
It’s not particularly new but time and again, I go back to this tool and am always happy with the result. Being a dabbler in papercraft, sewing and a gazillion other creative pursuits, part of the appeal is that it is useful whether you are working with fabric, paper, cardboard, leather, thin tin, plastic and lots of other materials. The other thing I love about it is that it packs a big punch but is gentle as a lamb to work with – so easy to use.
The Crop-A-Dile allows you to set eyelets with a minimum of effort, accurately and easily.
Eyelets can be such a cool-looking trim and a functional fastening finish on clothing, cards, scrapbook pages, notebook covers, gift tags, jewellery, belts and furnishings – it seems there’s no end to their applications.
Here’s what you do:
Punch the hole: There are two size settings for the hole punch, and adjustable sliders so you can vary the position of the hole from the edge of the paper or whatever material you are punching.
Select settings: Rotating heads on the punch allow you to select the right setter for eyelets of different sizes.
Set: Place your eyelet in the hole that you have punched. Fit the tool onto the eyelet and gently squeeze. No hammering, no pounding into your work table, no gym sessions required, it’s oh so easy.
Remove the tool and admire your perfectly set eyelet looking soooo professional and funky.
The only thing left to do is to choose which trim you are going to use: thread, knotted twine, silky ribbon, fabric strip, organza ribbon…
Footnote: I believe there is a new version on the market which has a deeper ‘bite’ and allows you to punch six inches from the paper edge – consequently this big brother is called the Crop-A-Dile II Big Bite. Look out for it!