How To Sew Hook And Eye Closures: Step-By-Step Guide
- WAWAK Sewing Supplies
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 23 minutes ago
Whether you're finishing a gown zipper or replacing a lost hook, knowing how to sew a hook and eye is a sewing skill that's sure to come in handy. Learn how to sew hook and eye closures with these step-by-step instructions, and save them for later with our free illustrated guide at the bottom of this post! For high-quality hooks and eyes, look no further than WAWAK, your one-stop shop for sewing notions.
WHAT ARE HOOK AND EYE CLOSURES?
Consisting of a small metal hook and a round or straight metal "eye," hook and eye closures provide a subtle way to secure meeting or overlapping edges on garments and other items. The two components hook together to form a simple but strong closure ideal for skirts, dresses, bras, lingerie, costuming and more. They're often used at the top of a zipper to alleviate some horizontal stress and create a finished appearance, or on bras and lingerie to form a secure but discreet closure. You'll also sometimes see them used to secure collars, cuffs, or accessories like belts and sashes. They're an excellent option for garment areas where a small, subtle closure is desired.
HOW TO SEW HOOK AND EYE CLOSURES
Most styles of hooks and eyes can be attached by hand stitching the two sides of the fastener in place. Like any hand sewing technique, it might take a bit of practice until you get the hang of it. You'll just need a few sewing notions to get started:
What You Need:
Hook & Eye Set (one hook and one eye for each closure you'd like to install)
Position The Hook & Start Your Stitch
Start with the hook on the “wrong” side of your fabric (the inside). Place it about 1/8" from the edge if you do not want your fabric sides overlapping once it is hooked through the eye.
Make 3 small stitches without going through to the “right” side of your fabric. Do not pull these too tight. Slide the hook through the stitches to hold it in place. If you are still having trouble with the hook moving around, you can also secure it with a little tape.
Sew The Hook On
Wrap a few more stitches around the head of the hook to secure it in place. Next, move on to the loops of the hook by sliding the thread under the fabric to come up between the first loop you plan to sew. Overhand stitch the loop, taking care not to have your stitches going through to the “right” side of the fabric.
Position The Eye
Attach the Eye to the Hook and place the Eye on the “wrong” side of the opposite piece of fabric so that the two pieces line up evenly. Mark the center of the loops with a washable/erasable marking tool.
Sew On The Eye
Start your thread and overhand sew the loops of your Eye as you had done for the loops on your Hook.
And with that, your hook and eye is ready to use! View the full illustrated instructions on how to attach hook and eye closures in the guide at the bottom of this post, and download or print it for your reference.
TYPES OF HOOK & EYE CLOSURES
Did you know there are different styles of hook and eye closures? While they all consist of the same basic hook and eye components, hooks and eyes can vary in size, shape and style to suit different garment applications. They're also available in various sizes; choose the size and style of closure that best matches the weight, style, and usage of your fabric for the perfect finish.
Standard hook and eye closures consist of a small hook and a round or straight eye. They're available in a variety of sizes and are suitable for a variety of applications, including skirt and dress zippers, cuffs, necklines, small accessories and more.
Ideal for bridal attire and gowns, these wedding dress hooks and eyes are available in several small sizes and feature a white enamel coating to perfectly match bridal fabrics. They're ideal for finishing wedding gown zippers or securing cuffs, bustles, bows, veils, accessories and more.
Create hook and eye closures on heavier garments with these large hook and eye closures, ideal for fur coats, wraps, jackets and more.
This convenient option consists of a row of pre-installed hooks and eyes built into a length of fabric tape. If you're installing a lot of hook and eye closures, this can be an excellent alternative to help you save time; just stitch the fabric tape in place to apply! These are ideal for bras, lingerie, bustiers and other applications with a lot of hook and eye closures.
HOW TO SEW HOOK & EYE - FREE DOWNLOAD
Want to save the above instructions for future reference? Download our free How To Sew Hooks & Eyes guide below. This printable infographic features the instructions above, plus helpful illustrations. Shop for hook and eyes and a wide selection of other sewing notions at WAWAK—with over 24,000 sewing supplies in stock, we're here to help you get your next project started.
Save this handy guide on how to sew hook and eye closures for your reference.
