You need the right setting tools for the usual method of fitting traditional brass eyelets, they vary from hand held versions you hit with a mallet to fully automated hydraulic presses, I used to make marquees and have fitted thousands. You can buy cheap tool sets on Ebay, but I'd be inclined to take it to any local tarpaulin maker who'll be able to do it in seconds. Common sizes go up to 66mm internal.
If you want to do it yourself, there's the option of curtain eyelets that fit with a plastic lock ring, though they're bigger than you're looking for. There's also tool less plastic versions, though I haven't used them or seen them I'm not sure how big they go. If the purpose is to stop the material fraying, you could do that without eyelets, tenacious tape either side before cutting the holes ought to do it.