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Member since 7/9/08
Posts: 44
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Posted on: 11/23/08 8:34 AM ET
HI, I'm having a hard time sewing velcro...what needles should I use? My thread is always breaking, does this mean my tension is off? I make dog coats so I need the sew on, someone mentioned to me the kind that is softer..I forget the name, would that work?

any suggestions would be great.

thanks!
  
Member since 12/3/05
Posts: 6572
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Posted on: 11/23/08 10:03 AM ET
In reply to Mariskie
Mariskie, I recently sewed dog coats for my yorkies. I used one piece velcro -- I'm not sure whether this is the soft kind you mentioned, but it's what I had on hand.

To attach the long velcro strip to the body of the jacket, I used a 100 sharps needle and I set my tension to a high setting and my presser foot to a low setting. Your sewing machine may or may not have an adjustable presser foot.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
Member since 3/28/08
Posts: 393
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Posted on: 11/23/08 10:06 AM ET
In reply to Mariskie
Mariskie,
I bought the Velcro that you iron on, and you don't have to sew at all. They sell it at Walmart, even in the ones that no longer have a fabric section. It works great. I used it on Wonder Wallets, and I'm telling you it saves time, and it does not come off. It says on the package it even gets stronger with washing. It's a little expensive, but if you are only using small pieces on each coat, it is the way to go.
I've never had a problem with sewing velcro, but someone told me there is a special foot for some sewing machines to sew it. If you have adjustable pressure foot , try loosening it, and see if that helps.
-- Edited on 11/23/08 10:07 AM --
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Sheila

God's love is infinite!
  
Member since 12/3/05
Posts: 6572
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Posted on: 11/23/08 10:58 AM ET
In reply to SheilaAnn
Mariskie, if your dog coats are made of fleece, you can't use iron on Velcro because the heat of the iron will melt the fleece. Also I sew the velcro on using a stitch in the ditch foot.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
Member since 5/9/05
Posts: 1471
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Posted on: 11/23/08 11:12 AM ET
Here is a method I have used on industrial weight velcro by using a 16 sharp needle. I removed the presser foot completely and lowered the feed dogs. Using a narrow zigzag and allowing the right edge of the stitch to fall off of the edge of the velcro. It gives a clean finish and look. I did use fabric glue to tack the vecro in place so I could avoid pins or slipped placement. Basically, a freemotion stitch done slowly.


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She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. Proverbs 31:13 NAS
  
Member since 12/28/04
Posts: 13915
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Posted on: 11/23/08 11:53 AM ET
In reply to Mariskie
The other thing to do if you are still having trouble with breaking thread is to use Sewers aid on the needle thread. I believe that it is a silicone liquid and it helps keep the thread from shredding.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
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