Velcro
 

How do you usually stitch/attach on Velcro - by hand or machine? The sticky back seems to gum up the needle. Any suggestions?

"The sticky back gums up the needle".......includes both machine and hand needles....exactly why I only use the sew on type. I try to sew by machine whenever I can without the stitching showing in the "wrong place", otherwise I sew by hand. I quit buying that sticky stuff long ago and never looked back. Well once when I found some Velcro that was allegedly an iron on type that did not need stitching. Allegedly being the key word, if you never pulled it apart, it worked fine.

Only use the stick on kind for non sewing projects, I use it for a loop at my desk at work to stop my crutches falling over, I use it for cards at Christmas. Anything I am sewing I use the stitch on kind.

ditto to what the other have said .... buy the sew on type!

Stick on is convenient ... but definitely not for the sewing machine! :)

If you have to sew thru the sticky kind, just get a cotton ball saturated with rubbing alcohol & wipe down the needle occasionally.

I do mine by machine, not killing my fingers on that. Chrome needles don't gum up as much. you can also keep alcohol wipes around to clean the needle every so often.

found this today-https://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/detail/31414/velcro-usa/-/velcro-58-x-30-soft-flex-strip-white

Thank you, Tex. I've never seen that kind of Velcro. In my area it's really hard to find the non-sticky kind... but I'm going to make a real point of looking for it. I hadn't thought of going online. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and suggestions. What I was doing wasn't really working and now I know going forward a better way.

When I was working, we had those obnoxious fabric walled cubicles. The super sticky velcro was awesome to hang picture frames with. Our office had the best pictures and frames. Except for that application, sew in only. I even found a picture LOL
[ATTACH=CONFIG]569186[/ATTACH]

A bad experience has made me hypervigilant about buying ONLY the non-sticky velcro unless I have a use for a non sewing project. I have seen this in our Whalemart.

I have many kinds of Velcro but only use the sticky back for items not being sewn. And this is for everyone be careful of the Industrial sticky back Velcro Only use it on something you don't plan on changing out in a very long time. It's like super glue.

Velcro comes in many different ways. The sticky back stuff is not meant to be sewn. I buy the kind labeled "sew-on" in strips, cut the size I need, and attach it with a zig-zag stitch all around.

there is also an iron-on velcro that has good reviews. comments included that it washed very well and seemed to adhere better (not worse) after each washing. I have some but have not used it yet.

The sticky-backed Velcro was terrific for attaching a valance to the board, but I would not use it in sewing -- it is almost guaranteed to give the problem you are experiencing. When I buy Velcro, I spend a LOT of time reading the packaging to make sure I am getting the width/color/strength/etc that I want. Sticky is not really for sewn applications.