Shorts Report post Posted July 3, 2008 I was curious what's the best (easiest?) needles and thread to sew velcro backing to a piece of leather, without a sewing machine. The application its for is decorative patches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Shorts. if machine stitching is not an option, I'd be going with self adhesive velcro. If the patch does not already have velcro then the pile (fluffy) part of the velcro goes on the patch and the hook goes on the item the patch is to be stuck to. With adhesive velcro you peel off the backing tape just like doubled sided sticking tape. Adhesive velcro will stick like poo to an Army blanket Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Shorts. if machine stitching is not an option, I'd be going with self adhesive velcro. If the patch does not already have velcro then the pile (fluffy) part of the velcro goes on the patch and the hook goes on the item the patch is to be stuck to. With adhesive velcro you peel off the backing tape just like doubled sided sticking tape. Adhesive velcro will stick like poo to an Army blanket Ok, I'll try that. Your analogy is pretty spot on for what I need it applied to - in this case, flight jackets and flight suits. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Shorts. Now we have a different scenario. I know exactly what you are trying to do. I am Airforce and my trade looks after all the Aircrew safety and survival equipment including flying suits. I would like a dollar for every time I have sewn velcro and badges to a flying suit. For your application the adhesive velcro may not be an option. The adhesive velcro will not work on the actual suit as it will peel off and we would have what is known as a FOD issue (foreign object damage). In other words uncontrolled bits of anything not meant to be loose on the aircraft. Commonly name badges are made out of bridle weight leather and their name is embossed in gold or silver writing. The name badge will be constantly removed for the suit to be washed (one would hope). For this reason the adhesive velcro will eventually come off due to the constant removal of the badge. I would now try using a good contact cement for the pile on the back of the badge ( a bit stickyer than just the self adhesive, if machine sewing is still not an option and then hand stitch with nothing heavier than a 3 cord. Any bigger and it is going to look a bit out of place. Alternatively take the badges to the local boot repair store for machine stitching. Barra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) Oops. badges on flying suits and we reverse what part of the velcro goes where. Have the pile on the suit and the hook on the badge. Opposite to what I said previously. I was thinking you were going to stick these patches to a hard and firm surface. Hey. Bring em to Australia and I'll stitch them up for you. I can even get real carried away and use Nomex thread. Barra Edited July 3, 2008 by barra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted July 3, 2008 Oh yes, I'm familiar with FOD (my hubby is a Navy pilot). And you can most certainly bet that those monkey bags get washed every chance possible! Yeah, it's the soft side of velcro that is already on the flight suits. I tried a test piece a couple years back and made hubby a leather tag for his brown jacket. Sewing the hook side of the velcro by hand to the leather was, let's just say 'interesting'. He approached me the other day and asked if that's something I'd be interested in. I'm considering it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunfighter48 Report post Posted July 4, 2008 (edited) Shorts, look for Shoe Goo or Shoe Goop (same product) at a sporting goods store. I used it to put felt soles on fishing waders and they never ever came off. It's a very thick nearly clear glue (kinda like heavy rubber cement). Apply a thin coat and put on the fabric then put a little pressure on it, let cure for 24 hours and use it. I've used it to fix all types of things that normal glues won't adhere to and it's always held tight. I even fix a cracked plastic tank on my carpet cleaned and it's still doing just fine after 2 years. John Edited July 4, 2008 by gunfighter48 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted July 4, 2008 Shorts, look for Shoe Goo or Shoe Goop (same product) at a sporting goods store. I used it to put felt soles on fishing waders and they never ever came off. It's a very thick nearly clear glue (kinda like heavy rubber cement). Apply a thin coat and put on the fabric then put a little pressure on it, let cure for 24 hours and use it. I've used it to fix all types of things that normal glues won't adhere to and it's always held tight. I even fix a cracked plastic tank on my carpet cleaned and it's still doing just fine after 2 years. John Thanks John, I will look for some Impressive it held out on fishing waders, which are not used lightly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
