Sewing Velcro

[Drascomber]

Does anyone know if there is trick or tip for sewing Velco hooks?

I have some cockpit tent repairs to do and whenever I try to sew Velcro Hooks the sewing machine stops with a horrid tangle.

 

[Billjratt]

It could be adhesive on the back of the velcro. 'Fraid you need to clean it or get different stuff. If it's running smoothly but messily, you may need to balance the tension of the thread - not forgetting the shuttle. try sewing down the side of the tape rather than through the hooks.

 

[davidpbo]

Might be length of stitch. You can get none sticky backed velcro which is my preference as the glue is never very good.

 

[Cloven]

Assuming you are using the non sticky-back stuff, you should have a very narrow strip of tape with no hooks along the edge. If you can stay within that strip you should have far fewer problems.

 

[MoodySabre]

Other people's experience
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/sewing/msg1116502114596.html

 

[jerryat]

If it is the sticky backing that's causing the problem, simply have a saucer (or other container) with a weakish mix of washing up liquid and water beside you when using the machine.

Use a small brush to dampen the Velcro (or PVC backed material or any other similar 'difficult to stitch' stuff) along the line of your proposed stiching. We usually apply it on the first 12" or so, then stitch, then wet the next !2" etc. This lubricates the needle and machine foot and will cure the problem.

Used it loads of times when making stuff for the boat and, for me anyway, it's worked every time. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Drascomber]

It not glue that's the problem as I have the sew on variety. The hook free strip at the side is tiny and keeping to it over several meters is near impossible.

Thanks Moody Sabre. If others are having no problem I must be doing something wrong.

 

[Jonny_H]

My SWMBO remade all our cushions and used sew on velcro - seemed to go through the machine no problem - is the needle big enough and thread strong enough? We sometimes find with thicker material we get this problem but a bigger needle and thread usually resolves it.

You can also buy sew on velcro with wider strips at the side - local habidashery is usually cheapest.

Jonny

 

[Ruffles]

Tried increasing the thread tension? Actually it sounds as though the tension is disabled completely. Is the thread dropped out of the friction thingy? Caught me out a few times.

 

[Chrissie]

The thread will be worn through by the nylon of the velcro very quickly. large stitches help and so does using a good quality thread,

 

[Dougie_the_Mate]

We had sticky back velcro on one of the banquette covers but it kept slipping off. I went into a local seamstress shop and asked them to sew it on. They asked could they use their own non sticky stuff - checking that it would adhere to the stuff which would go on the wall first - since the sticky stuff clogs up their machines. They did a very good job and only charged about about £7.00.

 

[William_H]

I have sewn a fair bit of velcro with no troubles. I agree it is probably the sewing machine itself specifically the path of the thread through the tensioning device. (top or bottom).
Check the machine with a bit of plain cloth. If you use a zig zag stitch it is fairly obvious if the tensions are not equal. olewill

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I make my own outdoor clothes and bags, and have sewn lots of velcro. I've had the same problem you describe, but it seems to be apparent only on some sewing machines, not others. I've never found a change of tension or needle or speed to eliminated it.

It only happens on the hook side, not the fuzz side, and happens whether there's glue on the back or not. (Glue can cause it a problem, but it's a much more minor one). It's caused by the sharp ends of the hooks snagging the top thread as it is pulled up by the rising needle. These hooks pull small bits off the thread, which then won't run freely through the needle hole, and a big tangle is the result.

To avoid the problem, sew down the narrow hook free strip at the edge. It's not easy to keep within this line as it's only a couple of mm wide, but you'll probably get away with an occasional wander into the hooks. You need to go slowly and surely though, and because of this, sewing the hook side of velcro is slow and difficult.

Somewhere you'll probably want to sew across the strip of velcro, for example at the end of a strip. Either do this by hand, or on a machine do it very slowly, even turning the machine by hand to check each up movement of the needle gasn't caused a tangle.

 

[Drascomber]

That sounds exactly like my problem Angus. Looks like I'll have to try another machine. Maybe I'll try SWMBO's one day when she's out.