WashAway Wondertape, is 1/4" wide, clear, low tack, wash's away, and will not gum up your needle. It comes under a few different brand names (Dritz & Collins). (Although I do sell this in my Sewing Supplies section of my website, this is not a sponsored post.) I added this to my shop, because I feel it is a required item for me - and hopefully you will love it too!
I first started using this tape for my internal zipper pockets, putting it on either side of the zipper, removing the paper and placing the hole for the internal zipper over top - no more pins! Pins get in the way, but they also bunch up the fabric too, so that it doesn't lie flat and straight.
I quickly moved to using it for any zipper openings or zipper gussets in bags. As you know, zippers and fabrics stretch out of shape when you sew them together. Often you will get to the end of a long zipper and find that your top layer of fabric has slid or stretched and is now longer than the bottom - this doesn't happen when you are using this tape. It's not super sticky and sometimes, just the very end can sometimes feel like it has dried out, but I find that if you need to, just touching the fabric with an iron releases some extra stick and makes your fabric adhere very well.
For my Boyd St. Bowling Bag pattern, there are additional instructions for straps and strap tabs in vinyl & leather and because you can't pin that material, and the WashAway Wondertape is a life saver. Pinning down strap tabs can be such a bother and they get in the way of your presser foot, and the pins can even get bent if you are sewing near them, so using Wondertape solves this in a second. You can also reposition it, so you if you are not happy with placement, move it on on over. I find when I use pins, my strap tabs can move out of place, the tape keeps them from getting crooked on me.
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| Too many pins!! You have to pull them out to sew around the edge and then the tab moves. |
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| Use DST instead! |
I used the Wondertape to stick down the vinyl edges of these strap tabs, and it worked okay on a soft, pliable vinyl, but on a stiffer one or leather, I had more success with my double-sided leather tape.
I've used this stuff to make straps out of wool, it just holds that stretchy stuff in place.
Oh I loved using it on the border piece of my Necessary Clutch Wallet pattern - works awesome!
I even used it to help me with mending my husbands coveralls. Although, I would prefer it if he would just buy new ones. I hate mending.
My most favourite thing about this sewing notion - because it helps things not to slide out of place and it keeps pesky pins out of the way, it truly does aid me in bringing a professional looking quality to my topstitching and bag construction. I hope you get a chance to try my favourite sewing notion... I love it!
blogged at www.emmalinebags.blogspot.com
Thank you for reading....
I agree with you Janelle. It has been a favorite of mine for years. I've been using more upholstery fabrics and faux leather that are impossible to turn under and iron. Even with heavier fabrics, if I tape and then clip them until I am ready to use, it works great. It is such a time saver. Less ripping out wonky stitch lines. When I open my last roll, it is time to buy another. Can't even think about running out.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post, Janelle! I think I first learned about Wonder Tape when I tested the Boyd St. Bowling Bag for you. Now I can't do without it!
ReplyDeleteJanelle, I started using the Wonder Tape at your suggestion and LOVE IT!! In fact my second roll is half gone, so I need to make sure I pick some more up!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Glad to hear you are using it, Nancy - you can become very "wonder tape dependent" though ;)
DeleteI so agree with you, I hate using pins because I always seem to poke myself and then bleed on my fabric. Have been using this tape for several years and will continue. I also use it on my embroidery hoops, it helps to keep the fabric where I want it when hooping.
ReplyDeleteoh I poke myself too! I'm terrible. Using it in a hoop is great advice for those that embroidery! Janelle
DeleteThanks so much for the tip,this is now on my shoppinl list!
ReplyDeleteI hate using pins! When i learned from you about the using the tape or glue stick i had one of those DUH moments. One of the best tips i've ever got. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI haven't purchased the tape yet, but I do love anything that helps to hold pieces in place without pins. I usually use a glue stick and that works too in most cases.
ReplyDeleteI used it for the first time 2 weeks ago when I did my fabric suitcases, it was wonderful! I hate pinning, and I didn't know you have it in your shop, that is very helpful, Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to go searching for some of this wonderful tape.
ReplyDeleteI bought it when I started sewing the Necessary Clutch wallet like a mad woman. It works wonders. I used it on zipper pockets now and they yurn out very neat and straight. Thanks for your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYou missed my very favourite use for it (and the reason I started using it in the first place). It holds badges in place so you can sew them, since pins always shift. I started using it when my boys and their dad were in beavers and cubs.
ReplyDeleteMy most exciting use for it was to sew Corporal Stripes on a Mountie's red serge jacket!
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ReplyDeleteCan you use it on knits?
ReplyDeleteYes, you certainly can use wondertape on knits. Keep in mind that it's a light stick, but washes away!
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