How to Sew VELCRO

Velcro (or its generic name is hook and eye tape) is one of the great inventions of modern times. If you have young kids you will love having Velcro on their clothing as they can put it on and remove it themselves, leaving you with an extra few precious minutes in your day. I use it extensively in my clutch sewing patterns too. It is easy and cheap to purchase and can be attached in a couple of easy steps. Ready to learn how to sew velcro? Let’s get started…

Well first let’s take a look at it. You will see that there are 2 different sides to Velcro. One is soft and the other has little loops and is quite scratchy. Check your pattern for instructions on where to put each piece.

PURCHASE A GOOD QUALITY VELCRO
The right Velcro will make all the difference. Purchase a soft Velcro suitable for sewing through. Avoid the cheaper hard stuff or the one with the adhesive on the back. These will cause skipped stitches.
THREAD
Use a matching thread to the Velcro. A matching thread will blend in and look much neater. If your stitching will show through to the fabric underneath, make sure your bobbin matches this fabric. Taking a little extra time to rethread your machine will give you a much more professional result. Make sure you are using a strong thread. Cheap threads are more likely to skip stitches and break.
NEEDLES
Use a sharp needle in a thicker size. Try a universal in size 14 or 16.
STITCHES
Use smaller stitches. Try using a length of 1.5-2.0. I have always found longer stitches are more likely to skip.
SEW AROUND THE EDGE
When sewing, try and stitch as close to the edge as you can. If you are having trouble getting close to the edge with your regular presser foot, try using a zipper foot instead.