Hook & Loop

Hook and Loop Tape for Sewing

When it comes to fastening solutions hook and loop sewing tape is the one that stands out for strength, reliability and ease of use. For both professional and DIY projects hook and loop tape is a durable, adjustable and reusable fastening solution for clothing, upholstery, accessories and industrial applications.

Sewing tape holds securely without losing flexibility. Whether you’re making adjustable straps, securing covers or designing custom closures this tape performs consistently and gives a clean professional finish. Available in various sizes and colors it can be sewn onto fabrics, leather and even some plastics giving you endless options for customization.

The Beginnings of Hook and Loop

Although NASA is frequently credited with the invention of hook and loop tape, its inventor was actually Swiss and pre-dated the Apollo missions. Engineer George de Mestral examined the cockleburs that stuck to his clothes and his dog’s fur after a walk. Under a microscope, he discovered a series of tiny, sharp hooks that allowed them to catch onto nearly anything it touched. Realizing that this “system” had the potential for a wide range of uses, Mestral worked with weavers to create a man-made version of this polypropylene adhesion system to mimic the cockleburs that stuck to his pants so well.

After trial and error, Mestral and his team finally created the hook and loop adhesive system we now know. This nylon webbing tape revolutionized closures and gave the world a new way to open, close and attach easily.

Since 1955, this simple two-part specialty fastener made from nylon webbing has been used in a wide range of applications, from military gear to medical clothing and equipment, safety equipment and everyday apparel.

In zero gravity, NASA discovered that the hook and loop tape with adhesive was a great way to keep things from floating around inside spacecraft. After NASA began using hook and loop tape in space suits, lunar modules, and other space-specific applications, the public began to adopt it as a widespread alternative closure to zippers, buttons, and snaps.

Choosing the Right Hook and Loop

Adhesive Or Sew-On?

Although GoldStar Tool offers a wide range of sizes and colors, there are two basic types of hook and loop tape: the type you sew on, and the adhesive type that you stick onto an item.

  • Sew-On Hook And Loop Tape is designed primarily for fabric applications, such as clothing. Once stitched onto an item, it’s secure and can withstand repeated wear as well as washing and drying. It’s a suitable replacement for zippers and buttons, particularly in clothing for children and adaptive clothing for disabled adults.
  • Adhesive Hook And Loop Tape is designed for use where sewing isn’t practical. The hook and loop tape holds an object in place, such as pictures or other wall-hung fixtures, mobile display signs, trade show exhibits, and most other non-sew applications. It can also be used to bundle together cords and wiring, medical tubing, and other supplies to keep them organized. Hook and loop adhesive tape can also be used to stick regularly used items (i.e., flashlights, tools, etc.) to walls and other surfaces, making them readily available.

Hook and loop sew-on tape is also used for pocket closures on cargo pants and shorts, jackets, footwear, various types of outerwear, sails, indoor and outdoor cushions, and many other textiles to hold surfaces together but allow easy opening. This can include military and civilian commercial uses such as safety equipment, protective vests, back braces, harnesses, hospital utility clothing, helmets, backpacks, and other applications.

Advantages Of Hook And Loop Tape

Why choose a hook and loop tape over buttons, zippers, and other fasteners? Using a hook and loop tape has several advantages to suit your needs, including:

  • Washable
  • Long lasting
  • Maintenance free
  • Better strength
  • They’re simple to install and replace
  • More applications than standard fasteners
  • Closes with just a touch, no fiddling with buttons or a stuck zipper
  • A wide range of sizes and colors means you’ll find the right type for your products

Adaptability makes the hook and loop tape ideal for so many kinds of textile, organization, repair, and other projects that need closures. Your imagination is your only limit!

Multiple Uses

When it comes to the hook and loop tapes, the uses are endless. What other projects can benefit from this specialty fastener tape? How about:

  • Removable shoulder pads in jackets
  • Briefcases, notebooks, and backpacks
  • Laptop and tablet cases
  • Wallets
  • Baby bibs
  • Cushion covers, indoor and outdoor
  • Diaper covers and other baby accessories
  • Totes, diaper bags, lunch sacks, and other types of bags
  • Bed skirts
  • Headliners in vehicles and boats
  • Wrap tool cases
  • Towel wraps
  • Baseball caps
  • Slipcovers
  • Ironing board covers
  • Cosmetic and shaving pouches
  • Custom straps and wraps for cables and other objects
  • Holding pictures and other objects securely on the wall without holes (adhesive type only)
  • Rug control (adhesive type only)
  • Keeping sofa and chair cushions from moving and sliding off the furniture

Need more ideas? Check out GoldStar Tool’s blog for tons of fun sewing projects.

GoldStar Tool—Buy Hook And Loop, Specialty Fasteners and Other Sewing Needs!

GoldStar Tool carries both sew-on hook and loop and the adhesive type of hook and loop tapes, all in different colors. Do you need more of one than the other? We also sell rolls of sew-on hook tape and loop tape separately to suit your individual needs. Buy all the hook and loop tape you need effortlessly, along with all your other sewing needs, right here on our website. We’ll ship it right to your business or home. Have questions, or need something specific? Call us at 1-800-868-4419, or use our online contact form to get in touch. 

There are9 products

What Are Sewing Scissors Used For?

Fabric-specific scissors and shears are used for one thing: cutting fabric.

They should cut smoothly and cleanly and feel comfortable when you use them. You should always use the appropriate type of scissors and shears for your fabric if you want them to last and you want your fabric to cut cleanly.

Using your sewing scissors to cut anything but fabric is a quick way to ruin a good, and possibly expensive, pair of scissors. Keep them sheathed or otherwise properly stored when not in use and always use a different pair of scissors for paper and other non-fabric cutting applications.

Choosing the Right Scissors for Your Fabric

Different types of scissors have specific functions, such as spring-mounted thread clippers, which are perfect for opening buttonholes and snipping off thread ends in everyday sewing. Dressmaker shears are designed to cut just about any type of fabric, from fine silks and cotton to the heaviest denim and leather.  Synthetics tend to shred a little with dressmaker shears and standard fabric scissors, so serrated-edged scissors are a much better choice. These Mundial shears have cushioned handles and micro-serrated stainless steel edges that ensure clean cuts without slipping.

What to Look for In A Pair of Scissors or Shears + -

Of course, you want to look for a good quality brand. At Goldstar Tool, we carry brands like Mundial, Wescott, Wiss, and our own Goldstar brand of scissors. Scissors can be expensive, but price isn’t always a good indicator of how good they are. Just because they are pricey does not automatically make them good. Stainless steel forged blades are strong, sharp, and will last a long time. When choosing a good pair of blades, you should ask yourself… Are they comfortable? If they don’t feel right when you’re cutting, they’re not right for you. A good pair of shears should be sharp and cut cleanly through your fabric from the start to the end. Of course, with use, they may need sharpening, which should restore them to a like-new condition. However, if they don’t cut well when they’re new, sharpening really won’t help, and it may be time to invest in a better pair. When you buy new shears or scissors, ask yourself… Is it the right type for your needs? Do you need a longer set of dressmaker shears, or would a pair of offset scissors work better? Will they cut thin fabrics as well as thicker fabrics, or do you need a separate pair for heavier materials? Remember that a good pair of scissors is an investment, so put some thought into your choice and be sure to take care of them. Repeatedly buying inexpensive scissors that you throw away can add up to a costly expense. 

Types of Shears + -

Dressmaker shears are the most important scissors to have. Heavier than traditional scissors, they’re designed to cut fabrics of all types and typically do so very well. These Mundial shears are engineered for right-handed or left-handed users, and come in 6”, 7” and 8” models (including left-handed 8”.) Our Goldstar brand 8-inch forged stainless steel shears cut the entire length of the blade, all the way to the tip. If you prefer pinking shears, we have two types from the GoldStar line. Our heavy-duty shears have classic metal handles, and the other has cushioned plastic handles. For the quilter, Mundial professional quilting scissors in either 5 ½,” 8 ½, or 9 ½” offer soft grip cushioned insert handles for comfort and extended use.  Do you enjoy applique work? Our Mundial applique scissors help you make quick work of trimming around appliques, as well as evenly trimming Are buttonholes your nemesis? Our exclusive buttonhole scissors have a screw that stops you from cutting through your carefully made buttonholes. Safer than regular scissors or a scalpel, the screw limits your cutting length, so you cut exactly the length you need.

Other Cutting Products + -

Keep your scissors handy with a leather belt/hip holster, animal print belt holster or a lanyard that hangs around your neck. These will keep your shears handy and always available. Rotary cutters are a great way to do precise, fast cuts with ease. Goldstar Tool’s rotary cutters make fast work of whatever you need to cut. We also carry the replacement blades for all of our rotary cutting tools. Straight paper cutting is fast and easy with Westcott Titanium Bonded Paper Trimmer. It trims up to ten sheets of paper quickly with a completely safe, no-touch covered blade assembly.

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Keeping Your Shears and Scissors in Tip Top Shape + -

The first thing you should NEVER do is cut anything but fabric with your scissors and shears intended for fabrics. The second is to never cut into a pin or needle since it will damage them permanently. When you’re finished using your shears, the best thing you can do is wipe the blades with a dry cloth to remove lint, threads, dust, and other small particles that can make them harder to use. Synthetic fibers can also dull the blades. Clean away the dry particles after every use. Keep your shears and scissors working smoothly with a small drop of quality sewing machine oil in the fulcrum or the pivot screw. Carefully open and close them a few times (point down) to distribute the oil, and wipe them, spreading some of the remnant oil over the blades. You want to oil your scissors and shears about once a month, more if you use them daily.  Of course, be careful not to drop them, or they could be damaged to the point of being unworkable.

Sharpening Your Shears and Scissors + -

When they just don’t cut like they used to, sharpening is a must to prevent damage to your fabrics. You may have heard that cutting through aluminum foil steel wool and/or sandpaper as a way to quickly sharpen your dulled scissors. Despite their popularity, we don’t recommend these methods. Think about it—if you shouldn’t use your sewing shears and scissors for paper and other things, or attempt to cut through a pin or needle, why would you use either of these to sharpen a blade? There are better ways to sharpen your shears at home or in your commercial shop. Need something small and efficient to keep around? These handy Scissors And Blade Sharpeners are economical, convenient, and sharpen on the fly. Our ExtremEdge V2 Knife and Shear Sharpener is a fast, easy way to sharpen non-serrated scissors and knives safely. The bottom section holds it in place for simple one-handed operation, and it’s sold for a reasonable price. If you have more than a few pairs of scissors, sending them out for sharpening can shut down operations. Our Wolff Industrial Twice as Sharp Scissor Sharpening System is an investment that will save you and your workers time and money, and keep your scissor arsenal sharp and cutting perfectly every time. Priced at under $500, you can sharpen your tools in-house whenever you need to. Plus, it comes with instructions so that anyone can learn to use it for fast on-demand sharpening.  Pinking shears, like our own soft-handled or heavy-duty shears, are best sharpened by a professional. There’s no reason to keep working with dull scissors and shears. Get one of our exclusive sharpening tools today.