Sewing Velcro to ripstop nylon

[Kathy Klager]

My sewing is usually confined to pretty basic clothing projects (and my
every-4-years project of slipcovering the poor old car seats with towels!)
and I use a 20-year-old Singer Genie. It's a very simple lightweight
machine. Right now I'm trying to make a ripstop nylon bag, with Velcro
closures and attachment straps, to carry a relatively heavy headlight
battery strapped to our tandem frame. When I try to sew the Velcro to the
ripstop nylon, I get one of those horrible thread tangles under the fabric --
the kind where your fabric is being pulled down into the machine and you
have to cut it loose. Help! Is it the needle, the thread, the tension,
the machine, or me? I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has light to
shed on this -- we're tired of giving up pannier space for the battery!
Thanks in advance,
Kathy
kkl...@omnifest.uwm.edu

[Anne Paulson]

Kathy Klager asks:

>I use a 20-year-old Singer Genie. It's a very simple lightweight
>machine. Right now I'm trying to make a ripstop nylon bag, with Velcro
>closures and attachment straps, to carry a relatively heavy headlight
>battery strapped to our tandem frame. When I try to sew the Velcro to the
>ripstop nylon, I get one of those horrible thread tangles under the fabric --
>the kind where your fabric is being pulled down into the machine and you
>have to cut it loose. Help! Is it the needle, the thread, the tension,
>the machine, or me? I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has light to
>shed on this -- we're tired of giving up pannier space for the battery!

I think it's probably the needle. You should try a size 100 jeans needle- a big, sharp needle that will punch through anything.

I am a tandemist too, and have a bit of experience sewing for outdoor
stuff. If the bag isn't already made, I'd suggest using something
heavier weight than ripstop. I don't think the ripstop is up to
carrying something as dense as a battery, and it is likely to fray
rather quickly. I would suggest cordura, or something similarly
strong. The Rainshed (541) 753-8900 carries a good selection of
outdoor fabrics and would probably be able to advise on what would be
suitable.

-- Anne Paulson

[Doris Ebanks]

Kathy,
I used to have this problem, but it can be easily
taken care of by sewing with a good tear away
stablizer (wash away is too light) & extend it
out from the edges as a "starter". I've also
found that on items that will have a lot of
stress on the edges &/or velcro that I double
the fabric to give a sturdier surface, use a heavy
new sharp needle (jeans type worked good) &
strong thread. I don't know where you are located
but a good out-of-doors fabric supplier the right
supplies, including a heavier velcro. Good luck.
Doris

[Patricia and/or Gregg Mason]

In article <4kocq0$i...@omnifest.uwm.edu>,

kkl...@omnifest.uwm.edu (Kathy Klager) wrote:
> When I try to sew the Velcro to the
>ripstop nylon, I get one of those horrible thread tangles under the fabric --
>the kind where your fabric is being pulled down into the machine and you
>have to cut it loose.

<snip>

I saw a great hint on Sewing With Nancy yesterday. If your machine does a
blind hem stitch like this:
< (zig and zag)
' stitch
' stitch
' stitch
' stitch
< (zig and zag)

sew with the straight stitches going down the margin of the Velcro (where
there isn't any hook or loop) and the zig and zag going into the hook or loop.

Pat Mason
"When you're up to your neck in alligators, it's difficult to remember
the original intention was to drain the swamp!"

[Pat Leask]

Patricia and/or Gregg Mason wrote:

> I saw a great hint on Sewing With Nancy yesterday. If your machine does a
> blind hem stitch like this:
> < (zig and zag)
> ' stitch
> ' stitch
> ' stitch
> ' stitch
> < (zig and zag)
>
> sew with the straight stitches going down the margin of the Velcro (where
> there isn't any hook or loop) and the zig and zag going into the hook or loop.

I've never had much problem with regular velcro - however, occasionally the upper thread flies out of the
tension guide and that definitely causes trouble! My problem is that I just bought by mistake the type of
velcro with the adhesive back! I still like to sew it on as it's on a fastening strap on artist's paint brush
holders that I make for a store. The problem of course with this, is that the needle gums up and I have to
clean the needle between every application with "Goo Gone". It's very time consuming and I hate to waste the
rest of this velcro - the adhesive porblem also causes a LOT of skipped stitches! I'll try the blindstitch
and see if that helps,but does anyone out there have any other ideas on sewing on adhesive velcro - I'd very
much appreciate it!

Pat Leask
le...@hookup.net

[Pat Leask]

[Smedwards]

Boy, I have had nothing but headaches sewing on the adhesive velcro - it
takes all the joy out of using it. I wasn't successful because my needle
got gummed and the tension pulled and etc etc!!! So, now I don't use it.
And I'm saner!! Diann

[Kim McEuen]

Pat,

Have you tried rubbing Sewer's Aid on your needle? I was having trouble
buttonhole stitching around appliques applied with a wonder under type
adhesive - my needle kept gumming up. A friend suggested the SA, and I
immediately noticed a BIG difference. I did have to reapply it after
about an hour of sewing.

Hope it helps.

Kim