Velcro slit irritation

**2Questions** · 03-07-2010, 17:26

We've recently had a customer contact us about the Velcro slit causing irritation or feeling abrasive to the skin. He had a Mod 2 done and also had the slit sewn shut.

We've corresponded and have told him our procedure about carefully aligning the velcro hook side to the fuzzy side before we sew it shut. He mentioned it felt like the hooks of the velcro were poking through. That's about all I know from his comments.

If it helps to know, on a Hennessy, the hook side of the velcro always points downward, to the outside of the hammock, the fuzzy side faces up, to the inside of the hammock.

The question is, has anyone else had issues with the velcro similar to this? I'd be particularly interested in whether anyone who has gotten the slit sewn shut having issues with the velcro. Some have asked to remove the velcro first, did that make a difference in the feel of the velcro slit?

I wouldn't think there would be any difference in the feel of the velcro just by sewing it shut. Actually, sewing in shut after carefully aligning it eliminates a problem with possible misalignment which might cause the velcro fuzzy side to be exposed, or ripples/buckles in the fabric caused by misalignment. That could be a potential irritation with bare legs for sure.

Trying to solve a problem for him...your help on this one is appreciated.
2Q

**Perkolady** · 03-07-2010, 17:33

2Q,
Years ago when I got my used Scout minus the netting, I tried just closing and stitching the opening. I had the same thing happen! It felt like there was something sharp poking through, even though I couldn't seem to actually nail down where exactly it was when I would try to look at it closely. Very strange.

It was a major pain, but I ended up ripping out the stitches where I had sewn it closed AND removing the velcro. What a job THAT was! After that, there was no problem.

When I modded my ULBA with a zipper, I removed the velcro before I sewed the slit shut...

**Rug** · 03-07-2010, 17:44

Just to clarify a couple of items.

I am the one who wrote in with a concern about the feeling of being 'poked'.

There are only 2 small sections of the velcro where it feels this way (perhaps 3" total in length). It is very near the bottom of the the slit, and only noticeable while moving my hand (or as I discovered, my left calf) along the length of the slit.

My initial thought was a few of the 'hooks' had poked through the material, but I have since been informed that the hooks point down, so it couldn't possibly be that.
This really isn't an issue, just an observation.
I will take some photos tomorrow and send them to 2Q/ZQ.

This is the second hammock I have had 2Q/ZQ modify, and am very pleased with the results.

**2Questions** · 03-07-2010, 17:47

Originally Posted by Perkolady

2Q,
Years ago when I got my used Scout minus the netting, I tried just closing and stitching the opening. I had the same thing happen! It felt like there was something sharp poking through, even though I couldn't seem to actually nail down where exactly it was when I would try to look at it closely. Very strange.

It was a major pain, but I ended up ripping out the stitches where I had sewn it closed AND removing the velcro. What a job THAT was! After that, there was no problem.

When I modded my ULBA with a zipper, I removed the velcro before I sewed the slit shut...

Very interesting! I wish we knew what the difference is.
So strange, over the couple years of sewing the slit closed, my records show 22 having the slit sewn shut. Of the 22, 12 have had the velcro removed first. Maybe they will chime in as well. New issue for us, need NCIS to solve it I guess!

**2Questions** · 03-07-2010, 17:52

Originally Posted by Rug

Just to clarify a couple of items.

I am the one who wrote in with a concern about the feeling of being 'poked'.

There are only 2 small sections of the velcro where it feels this way (perhaps 3" total in length). It is very near the bottom of the the slit, and only noticeable while moving my hand (or as I discovered, my left calf) along the length of the slit.

My initial thought was a few of the 'hooks' had poked through the material, but I have since been informed that the hooks point down, so it couldn't possibly be that.
This really isn't an issue, just an observation.
I will take some photos tomorrow and send them to 2Q/ZQ.

This is the second hammock I have had 2Q/ZQ modify, and am very pleased with the results.

I wasn't going to mention you Rug, I'm more concerned with the problem you're having and finding a solution for you. Hopefully we will.

We didn't leave a pin still in place did we?

Just kidding, Donna says she only pins when she removes the velcro first.

**Hawk-eye** · 03-07-2010, 17:58

Maybe I'm just weird ... I've got the mods ... left the slit in place ... I've never had a problem with the slit ... on my Exped or my earlier first Hennessey's from back in 01.

**Perkolady** · 03-07-2010, 18:08

It may not have even been the actual velcro teeth poking through, since as 2Q said, it faces the other way, but one thing I remember noticing when I went to remove the velcro on mine was that the raw edges of the velcro strips were kind of unraveley. I remember thinking at that time that maybe a few of the edge 'hairs' had gotten pushed through the fabric.

This was a while ago that I got that Scout, so maybe they do things differently now, or use different omni-tape?

Has ZQ noticed anything like that on the velcro edges?

**2Questions** · 03-07-2010, 18:32

Originally Posted by Perkolady

It may not have even been the actual velcro teeth poking through, since as 2Q said, it faces the other way, but one thing I remember noticing when I went to remove the velcro on mine was that the raw edges of the velcro strips were kind of unraveley. I remember thinking at that time that maybe a few of the edge 'hairs' had gotten pushed through the fabric.

This was a while ago that I got that Scout, so maybe they do things differently now, or use different omni-tape?

Has ZQ noticed anything like that on the velcro edges?

Well, she says she hasn't seen any velcro that had unraveled edges. Also, after aligning the velcro hook and fuzz on top of other properly, there is still 1/8" to 3/8" of fabric beyond the velcro tape on both sides! There is alot of variance in this from hammock to hammock. Point being, even if there were some unraveling going on with the velcro tape edges, it would have to extend beyond the fabric to be noticed.

I think the answer may lie in Rug's pictures of this area he's described. Thanks for your input Perkolady. You must work for NCIS? (I like that show)

**Perkolady** · 03-07-2010, 18:51

Originally Posted by 2Questions

You must work for NCIS? (I like that show)

No, but I'm a mom!

**Bleemus** · 03-07-2010, 19:41

Is the user in the hammock naked? How can you even feel the "slit" with a quilt or bag?

My lawn furniture might feel awkward if I were buck naked too but I don't send it back.