Does removing stitches ruin the nylon??

[ndstephens]

I have a synthetic fill (Climashield Apex) top quilt from Mountain Laurel Design. It's 40-degree rated. My summer quilt. The bottom 2' or so of the footbox is held together with velcro and a plastic button at the top and bottom. That's fine if i want it together. If i want to completely open it up on a hot night then the velcro is exposed, which can grab at the hammock material, socks if i have them on, etc. I hate it. I'd like to get rid of the velcro and probably sew some lightweight ribbon material in the same spot and put more plastic buttons along it's length....or maybe put a 2' zipper in its place.

Can I carefully remove all the stitches holding the velcro on, or will that leave too many exposed holes in the nylon from the original stitches that will allow future damage to the material? I would probably sew ribbon in the same area, but of course the stitches won't be in the same holes...and i'll be adding more holes with the new stitches. I don't know how much abuse the lightweight nylon can take.

Or am i stuck with the velcro and simply need to buy a new quilt without the velcro?

Thank you for any feedback.

[justsomeguy]

short answer is go for it...... the fabric repairs its self with a light rubbing

[Dutch]

No problem. If it was down, you might be making a place for it to escape. Modify that gear.

[ndstephens]

Great. Appreciate the feedback. May have some sewing questions in the near future. It'll be my first DIY work. Need to get a machine....and find those small plastic buttons.

[ndstephens]

....speaking of....so Dutch, do you know when approx that "MakeYourGear.com" website is going live?

[DrPhun]

Another solution might be to cut a piece of the fuzzy side of the Velcro to fit the part of the Velcro that catches when it open, then no more problem.

[ocnlogan]

Yep, go for it. As others have said, the holes self repair. That's because the needle is going between fibers, not removing material like a drill or something. So one the thread is gone, the hole kind of disappears.

I did a similar operation on my first tq this week. Worked just fine .

[PappyAmos]

I agree, no harm will come but . . . carry a small piece of thick fleece (part of an old wool shirt, etc.) to cover the hook part of the velcro when you need it.

[ndstephens]

Another solution might be to cut a piece of the fuzzy side of the Velcro to fit the part of the Velcro that catches when it open, then no more problem.

i thought of that, but for me it kind of masks the problem. the extra piece of velcro is another thing to bring along, another thing to futz with, and more weight (in principle, not that i'd ever really feel it). i just want to get rid of the velcro. i don't need the footbox sealed up for perfect insulation....it's my summer quilt after all. but i appreciate the idea.