Best way to attach 'el wire' to clothing?

drala · Post by **drala** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 10:34 pm

I want to decorate a jacket with about 20 ft of 'el wire'. Can anyone recommend the best method to attach it? The two methods I'm considering are (1) using a glue gun- though this might come apart after a few hours of motion or (2) Using loops of thread to hold the wire in place. Thanks for any input on this. See ya on the playa.

darkskab · Post by **darkskab** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:45 am

I have exactly zero experience in this area, but I would go with loops of thread. Sounds easier, more comfortable, and more reliable.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:20 am

Hand stitch it on or if you have a machine, stitch OVER the wire (not through, don't pierce the wire) with a wide zigzag stitch. I don't recommend using glue.

headquarters · Post by **headquarters** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:36 am

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=3497

i'm using goop glue, which works so good. it is rock solid to my jumpsuit. but don't expect to get the glue off again, at least from the clothes.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:41 am

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that glue wouldn't work, just that if you want to reuse your wire/garment later for soemthing else, it's easier to take out the stitching than the glue.

I'm not dissin' GOOP, I love the stuff too!

drala · Post by **drala** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:13 am

Thanx for the tips, I'll experiment a little with each method.

safetythird · Post by **safetythird** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:34 am

I've seen EL attached to a jacket with safety pins. Tons of them. They seemed to hold pretty good and the looseness allowed good range of motion. A nice benefit of this is you can change your design anytime you want by simply removing safety pins and reattaching somewhere else or move it to a comletely different garment.

Take care,

Safety Third!

kairyth · Post by **kairyth** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 3:52 pm

I've had lots of success with using a thread 'tack,' which is basically using needle and thread to loop over and over EL wire in specific places along the length. To save time, instead of tying knots in my thread, when I was done I went back over the thread-tacks with (my all time favorite fabric glue EVER) Unique Stitch-- available at Johann's or other fabric-type stores, small 2oz. white bottle with blue and yellow label.

Advantage: flexible fabric glue works much better than sucky hot-glue. The fabric glue doesn't seem to want separate from the plastic sheath around the EL wire.

Disadvantage: not really removable or changeable (as mentioned by the safety-pin method described above).

The key thing to remember when you add EL wire to clothing is to remember that it is, at the core, WIRE. Not ribbon or yarn. It likes to hold its shape, so if you try to attach it to a flexing, moving part, it will end up rather bendy and wonky. I wasn't prepared for how wonky things ended up looking after a night of playa-abuse.

drala · Post by **drala** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:41 pm

Your detailed advice is very helpful and greatly appreciated! Thanks so much.