Velcro tape takes a lot of work out of the equation when you're creating crafts in which you need to fasten two items together. This hook-and-loop tape works because one side of the tape has miniature hooks that grab onto the side of the tape outfitted with a series of small loops, but it can also work with fabrics that have a certain amount of "tooth" such as felt or wool.
Inspiration for the product came from the common burrs that find their way onto your socks or your pet's fur after an outdoor outing. Velcro was invented by a Swiss engineer in 1941 when he took his dogs hunting in the Swiss Alps, and they encountered burdock burrs.
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Toothy Fabrics
Toothy fabrics that have enough small loops for Velcro to attach to without having to add the loop side of the product include:
- Wool
- Loose-looped felt
- Looped nylon fabrics
- Fleece
- Some microfiber fabrics
- Velvet
- Some knit fabrics
For Velcro to stick directly to fabric, you need the hook-side of the tape, which you can purchase on rolls at the fabric or arts and craft store more cheaply than the combined hook-and-loop tape.
Craft Projects
Choose between a hook tape without a backing or one with an adhesive to attach one side of it to fabrics for a variety of craft projects.
Jewelry Organizer
Craft projects for which you might need only the hook-side of Velcro include a jewelry wall organizer made from felt-backed canvas. Secure the tiny loops of the hook tape to the backing material. The loop attaches to the front of a felt-backed canvas so that you can easily open and close to secure your jewelry to it. This project does dual duty as an art piece on the wall and a place to keep your jewelry untangled.
Hand Puppets
Puppeteers who make their own soft fabric hand puppets prefer to use Velcro dots to adhere features such as googly eyes and noses and more to their creations. Use Velcro adhesive-backed hook dots to attach the adhesive side to the back of plastic eyes, for example, and to the appropriate fabric. Using Velcro gives you the option to change the character's features without having to make a whole new puppet. You can even use this with wool socks to create sock puppets for children. But if you plan to use cotton socks, you'll need both sides of the hook-and-loop Velcro dots to attach features to the cotton, as Velcro's hook side won't adhere directly to non-tooth fabrics such as cotton.
Fabrics Without Loops
Velcro doesn't stick to all fabrics. The fabric must have a series of small loops on its surface or offer a pile that the hook-side of Velcro tapes or products can grab onto. The hooks must be able to sink into the fabric deeply enough, and the fabric's fibers must have something the Velcro can clutch.
Warning
Use caution when sticking hook-sided Velcro to some fabrics; because excessive attaching and detaching the Velcro can make the fabric develop a fuzzy appearance or separate the fibers a bit.