Sewing with velcro can be tricky and might leave you with broken needles, stitches that have been skipped, and very little patience. While velcro can be difficult to work with, it works as a great replacement for snaps, zippers, and buttonholes.
So, can you sew on a velcro patch? Yes, but you will need to be very careful when you do so. The process is simple and easy as long as you have all of the proper sewing materials. You will need a good quality velcro patch, and very good and strong needles to get the job done.
Velcro is by far the easiest way to attach one piece of fabric to another. It is also a great way for kids to put on and take off their own clothes to learn independence. No matter why you want the velcro, it is important to understand how you get the velcro on the fabric. In this article we go over everything you need to know to sew on a velcro patch, so let’s get to it!
Can I Sew Velcro with a Sewing Machine?
Sewing velcro with a sewing machine is usually something people will try once and only once. Using a sewing machine to put velcro on fabric can be a difficult task, it doesn’t have to be. If you know exactly what you are doing, the process can be made a little easier.
There are a few tips that can help make sewing with your machine a much better experience. First, purchasing the right velcro can make all the difference in how your project turns out. Using a soft velcro that is suitable for sewing is your best option. It is also best to avoid cheap velcro and those with adhesive backs.
It is also extremely important to use a needle that is sturdy enough for the job. Using the incorrect needle can result in broken and bent needles. It is recommended to use a denim needle like this one because it will be as sturdy as you need.
When you have the velcro and proper needle installed, you will want to cut the velcro down to the proper size. Carefully slide a pair of scissors through your velcro to prevent tearing the velcro loops or hooks. Cut as evenly as possible, keeping the edges straight for your sewing project.
Place the velcro pieces on the fabric where you want to sew it. Place the soft piece of velcro on the underside of the top piece of fabric. The rough part of the velcro will be placed on the lower piece of the fabric. Take time to ensure that they are lined up with each other.
For the best results, use a new and very sharp needle and cover it with a needle lubricant or beeswax. This will help the needle move smoothly through the velcro with a smaller chance of getting stuck and breaking. This steo will be beneficial no matter what size needle you are using.
Some sewing machines might come with a presser foot specifically for hook and loop closures. If you have one, it is best to use it. If you don’t have one, you can get by with using a zipper foot. These presser foots will be more sturdy and have the ability to handle the necessary pressure to effectively sew through the velcro.
It is recommended that you use a zig-zag stitch or a blind hem stitch. Sew around the edges of the velcro to keep it in place. After you are finished, you will need to trim the edges of the velcro. The corners can be pokey and uncomfortable, so trim them the best you can. Be extra careful to avoid your threads so you don’t accidentally snip through them.
How Do You Embroider a Velcro Patch?
If you want to make your own velcro patch with your embroidery machine, there are a few extra steps you need to take compared to regular embroidery. You will need to have a program to design your embroidery patch first. During your design process, choose the shape of your patch.
When you have your patch designed, you are going to send it through the embroidery machine on the color fabric that you want your patch to be. Have an outline on the patch design so you can cut the patch out before the next step. This will help ensure that your patch is the right shape.
Next, you are going to set up the plastic backing for the patch. For this, you will need to set the machine up to stitch another outline so you know where to place your patch at. After the outline is stitched, take the plastic backing off the machine and place the patch so it lines up with the outline.
Put the patch back on the machine and set up a second outline and a zig-zag stitch to attach the patch to the plastic backing. After the zig-zag stitch, you will turn the machine off. Take the embroidery outline and tape it on the backside of the velcro.
Put the velcro patch back on the machine for a tack down to attach the embroidery to the velcro. After the tack down stitches the embroidery to the velcro, take it back off the machine. Cut the excess velcro off as closely to the outline as possible without cutting the plastic backing.
When you have the excess off, you are going to yet again place it back on the machine. This time, the machine is going to stitch the marrow border. When the entire process is complete, you can cut the rest of the plastic backing from the patch. You will then be ready to use your velcro patch on any other velcro piece you could want.
What is the Best Way to Attach Velcro to Fabric?
Sewing might not always be the best way to attach velcro to a piece of fabric. Luckily, it isn’t the only way to get velcro to attach to fabric. A great alternative to sewing is using a heavy-duty, multipurpose glue. It will be beneficial to use an adhesive that is specifically designed for use with velcro.
This application process is extremely simple, but you will want to pay attention to the labels of the fabric and adhesives you use. There are certain adhesives that will have different reactions to washing. You should be aware of these before you start the application process.
A second option that would be best is tape that is fabric-based. This will be the best option for costumes because it is quick, easy, and stands up well to washing. Fabric tape is also the most beneficial option for adding patches or hemming clothing.
I recommend this Fabric Tape. It works great for velcro, fabric and much more!
Final Thoughts
If you have a velcro patch that you would prefer to sew on to an article of clothing instead of sticking it with velcro, it is possible and pretty easy. For the best results, you need to make sure you have the right needle. If your needle is too flimsy and isn’t durable enough, it can break when it meets the velcro.
If you want to take a patch and sew it onto fabric or make your own velcro patch, that is also an option. Creating your own velcro patch will require an embroidery machine, but the process is simple and the instructions are easy to follow.
Make sure to follow my tips and recommend products to ensure your sewing project turns out amazing! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your sewing Q&A’s. Happy sewing!