…the metal grommet had been invented in 1822. As with any new technology, there was some doubt as to it’s effectiveness, and women trusted what they new. The metal grommet was really not effectively applied until 1828.
(In 1829 women still liked their handmade fancy work and hand sewn eyelets, especially on areas that didn’t carry stress like the hip gussets of this reform type corset of ’29)