Usage of Fusible Sewing Threads to Improve the Waterproof Property of Seam

Abstract

In classical stitching process, needle holes occur during the penetration of the needle through the fabric. If the waterproofness of the sewn product is important, the water leakage from these holes must be prevented. To prevent this negative situation, different techniques such as sealing of seams with waterproof tapes, joining the textile materials by bonding or welding are used. Among these techniques, there is no needle damage in bonding and welding and all the seam area is covered by thermal or chemical bonding. In sewing technology, the water leakage is prevented by covering all the seam area with seam sealing tape. These three methods have different effects on the physical properties of the seams obtained. Instead of covering the whole seam area, covering just the needle damages is the focus of this research. With this aim, fusible sewing threads were used to cover the needle damages to increase the waterproof performance of seam line. The fusible sewing threads have not been used for obtaining waterproof seams before. In this research, the fusible sewing threads were used as lower thread in different combinations. Initial results of waterproofness test show that, melted fusible threads improve the waterproof performance of seams. In other words, the needle damages on sewn fabric can be covered by melted fusible sewing thread. However, unbalanced seam is the negative side of this research because of using different threads as needle and bobbin thread. Additionally, there is no variety of fusible threads to select an appropriate one for this method. The study is hoped to be a sample for the further studies on this method, using different fusible threads, fabrics, seam types and even improving new fusible threads for this waterproofing method.

Investigation of the effects of different needle hole covering techniques on seam characteristics of waterproof breathable fabric

“…In welding techniques, the materials being joined are heated, causing thermoplastic materials to melt. As the materials cool and solidify, a seam is created (Mesegul and Karabay, 2020;Kara and Yes ¸ilpınar, 2021). Welded seams can provide waterproofing, but they may result in a reduction of fabric strength by up to 60%.…”

“…Ensuring the quality of the seam is more important in waterproof breathable fabrics. The most popular and traditional method of creating seams is stitching using needles and threads (Mesegul and Karabay, 2020; Kara and Yeşilpınar, 2021; Sülar et al ., 2014). This is not useful for waterproof breathable garments because the needle holes can make the seams leak.…”

“…This is not useful for waterproof breathable garments because the needle holes can make the seams leak. The garment prepared with waterproof breathable fabrics will lose their functionality as a result of this (Jeong and An, 2003; Jana, 2011; Ashour et al ., 2017; Oh et al ., 2019; Mesegul and Karabay, 2020). Available literature has explored different alternative seaming techniques such as seam sealing tape, adhesive bonding and different types of welding techniques to create waterproof seams for these garments (Jevšnik et al ., 2016; Ashour et al ., 2017; Mesegul and Karabay, 2020; Kara and Yeşilpınar, 2021).…”

Artificial Neural Network-based Prediction Technique for Waterproofness of Seams Obtained by Using Fusible Threads

“…Rather than covering the seam area widely, fusible threads were used to cover just the needle holes to prevent the penetration of water and in this way increased the waterproof performance of the seam area. Promising results were obtained in the beginning [6,7]. It is important to select suitable threads because the study is new and there is no previous information.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Low-Melting-Point Polyamides with Trace Thermoreversible Cross-Linked Networks

“…LMPAs are widely used in hot melt adhesives, , melting spinning fibers, cast films, , foams, , packaging systems, and textiles (like nonwovens, fly knit vamps, fusible bonding yarns, etc. ) , due to their narrow melting range, fast solidified rate, and high adhesive properties . However, LMPAs inevitably have some problems that need to be improved in practical applications, for example, the sacrifice of tensile strength, modulus, heat resistance, melt viscosity, and water absorption due to weak crystallinity.…”