I am making bags to give as gifts using those curtain grommets that are so popular. The bag is done except for the handles which thread through the grommets. I cut the holes per the instructions and even ran a hand sewn thread around the hole to keep the layers together. When I place the 'threaded' portion on the bottom side the outside edges of the hole fit perfectly around the groove. And when I put in the first grommet it fit fine but now I'm on the 3rd one and it keeps popping open. When I re-do that one and go on to the next it pops off too. Everything seems to line up well and looks like it will hold, no gaps or overly thick sections. I can't seem to make them stay together. Has anyone had this happen to them? How did you solve it? Should I use some glue? After all the hard work to get the back to this point I'm stumped. I would hate for the grommets to come apart after I've given it away. Can anyone out there help me?

I sent my friend an email about your grommet questions. surely she can help you. She uses grommets all the time.

When I made the grids and grommets purses, I added some fusible interfacing to stiffen the purse band. I have a friend that had problems with her grommets staying on. So, she put a dab of superglue inside the grommets to keep them together. So far, it has worked.

I just finished some drapes for my SIL.
Yes, the grommets would not stay snapped together.
So, I used some super glue around the inside of the grommet where the two pieces touch. Push them together and hold for just a minute.

It worked perfectly.

You will not be able to take them apart once glued, like to launder, but it worked really well.

I use fabri-tac glue, then snap them together

I use the kind you beat the crap out of with a hammer. I have never had any kind of problems with them! It gets a little frusteration out too!

What kind are you using that they just "snap" together?

The grommets are made out of a sturdy plastic. Kind of look like a rubber but they're not. My only fear about the glue is -- what if they're not lined up and the glue dries? It's a little scary. We spend so much time and materials in making the bag and it's a little frightening to know one messed up grommet can ruin the whole thing. I guess it's just a leap of faith?

The only ones I have used are the metal ones. With those you need the proper sized grommet setter for each size grommets. That makes sure the rings stay in place while you hit the setting tool with the hammer. If you don't hit it firmly and squarely on, then they may come apart. I usually bang several times to be sure everything is secure, especially when using the larger grommets.

You can also check with a shop that makes signs and banners. They will most likely have an industrial grommet setter that works much easier than the home use one.

The grommets I'm talking about are the curtain ones that come in multiple colors and 2 sizes -- a large one and a smaller size.

Use your fingernails to push fabric around bottom half of grommets really tightly, make sure you are on a hard flat surface. I use both my hands together and push down hard until I hear a faint snap. Sometimes it takes a few times and is frustrating, but once you hear that snap they should not come apart. It helps if the table is lower like a dining room table so you have more leverage. Hope this helps