Sewing with dental floss

Fraxinus · May 02, 2005, 05:51:13 AM

A few years ago, a friend of mine put me onto using dental floss to fix something that would be needed for rough duty. Maybe something like leather.
Well, I had an almost new pair of britches that I managed to pull out that little hook part that fastens in front and keeps 'em from falling down and emparrassin ya. So I remembered the advice from my friend and got out the dental floss and needle. So far, so good. And I'm tellin ya, there's times when there's a lot of strain on that puppy, like getting in or out of my little Escort.

Patty · May 02, 2005, 07:09:53 AM

Hmmm, the little hook part that keeps them from falling down. Now would that be the button hole or the zipper? :D Upholstry thread works good too. You need a pretty heavy duty needle to sew through jeans fabric. Dental floss is a good idea, I've never tried that.

Ed_K · May 02, 2005, 07:19:12 AM

I've been known to use fishing line. 6# 25# and 200# ;).

Fraxinus · May 02, 2005, 08:31:37 AM

I'm not sure what "test" the floss would be but 200# might or might not cut it in my case. :D :D That's why I doubled the stuff up even before I started. :-[

Ernie · May 02, 2005, 02:44:49 PM

If I fixed that little hook part, I think I would lose the circulation in my legs :D :D :D

CHARLIE · May 02, 2005, 11:56:53 PM

Tom and I used dental floss to sew buttons on our shirts and pants when we were attending Georgia Military College. If a button was sewn on with dental floss, there was no way it was ever coming off. However, Dempsey's, the local dry cleaner and laundry owned a million dollar button breaking machine. Many times I'd get my shirts back stiffly starched and only the dental floss where the button used to be. >:(

asy · May 03, 2005, 01:28:07 AM

I make Teddy Bears (well, I haven't for a while... )

I make the type that are mohair wool, with jointed joints, and glass eyes, etc...

And all the joints are sewn together with DEntal Floss, it's the only thing strong enough to stand up to wear and tear and not unknot, as fishing line can if you cut the end too short.

Its also pretty much the best thing to sew eyes on with coz they have to be pulled really tight to get the face shape...

Oh, and I sew buttons on with it too...

asy :D

Ernie · May 03, 2005, 02:56:02 PM

Asy

Teddy bear pics please

SwampDonkey · May 03, 2005, 06:30:56 PM

My mother's uncle was a fur buyer/trapper that would use dental floss on badly mangled furs or road kill obtained fur. He was quite good at it and the furiers never knew the damaged furs had been sewn. People used to bring animals for him the skin and stretch and to mend if some amateur ruined the hide.

JJackson · May 03, 2005, 09:42:10 PM

I am going to have to try the dental floss on some buttons that are almost falling off. Thanks for the tip!

Teri · May 04, 2005, 05:05:21 AM

Asy... What Ernie said....Lets see some pics. PLEASEEEEE. :D

asy · May 04, 2005, 05:55:53 AM

Oooookay, since you asked!!!

Here's Rosie the Bear:

And Here's Stephie with Rosie the Bear.

Rosie is a hand dyed German Mohair bear, made to a classical early 1900's pattern style.

I made both my kids a play bear, as most of my bears are 'show bears' and I felt every kid needs a great bear!

Here's an example of the fun bears I do: He's a Country Bumpkin Bear:

Hope ya like them...

asy :D

Teri · May 04, 2005, 06:23:40 AM

WOW!!! I LOVE EM" 8) 8) 8)

Asy, you've done a very remarkable job making them. Wish I had talent to do something like that. They are soooo cute.. You got more pics? If so keep em comin'. ;D

asy · May 04, 2005, 06:40:18 AM

Thanks Teri!

THat means a lot to me!

The rest of my bears are in boxes as I am between houses :(

asy :D

Teri · May 04, 2005, 06:47:51 AM

O.K. I'll wait. :D :D :D

Are they very hard to make?

asy · May 04, 2005, 07:08:25 AM

Actually, no, once you learn how, a bit tricky at first.

Tellya what.

When you come visit me here in the land of OZ, I"ll drag the old bear making box out and we'll make one together and I'll teach ya.

Sound good?

asy :D

Teri · May 04, 2005, 07:12:57 AM

8) 8) 8) 8)

Sounds good to me! ;D

asy · May 04, 2005, 07:18:14 AM

HOORAY!

Now, when ya come visit here, we'll teach ya Oztralyan too. AND you can even come on the forum and talk to your dad in OZzie... (Only we'll teach ya how to spell it properly)...

hehehe

asy :D