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What are "Steam-A-Seam" strips ?
HOWsMom Beginner ON CANADA Member since 8/27/12 Posts: 107	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/20/12 11:46 AM A pattern I just received calls for "Steam-a-seam" strips. What are they ?
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1356	Login to reply to this post In reply to HOWsMom << Like this post Date: 9/20/12 11:52 AM Steam a seam is a brand name of a double-sided tape. It is handy as it is sticky on both sides; I find it especially helpful to hold hems in place. When it is ironed, it is nearly permanent. It can be found in then notions department in JoAnns or Hancocks. I don't like it as well as Stitch Witchery which has to be ironed on to hold in place but it is more useful on knits because it is sticky and holds without being ironed. HTH
HOWsMom Beginner ON CANADA Member since 8/27/12 Posts: 107	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: What are Steam-A-Seam strips ? Date: 9/20/12 11:53 AM Okay - maybe it's just not a brand that's easily available in Canada then. I've seen Stitch Witchery in many places though.
KathySews   Advanced Beginner MI USA Member since 10/1/06 Posts: 2893	Login to reply to this post In reply to HOWsMom << Like this post Date: 9/20/12 11:56 AM Steam A Seam is an iron on bonding that permanently bonds fabrics together. I use it on quilt bindings, hemming pants and to hold difficult to sew pieces together while I sew. A fantastic helper In the US I get it at Joann fabrics store and see it in many fabric stores. Here is a quick demo video Steam A Seam
BeckyNoSleep Intermediate USA Member since 4/19/10 Posts: 129	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: What are Steam-A-Seam strips ? Date: 9/20/12 12:12 PM They have it on Fabric.com and Amazon, too. I find it really useful when coverstitching hems on soft knits to stabilize the fabric and prevent tunneling. I use the "Lite" version.
ahrizel Beginner PA Member since 4/22/12 Posts: 293	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/20/12 1:35 PM I use the steam a steam lite also. Great for tote bags I make, use the sas to hold ribbon on the webbing, then to hold the webbing on the bag. This is ironed on then sewn too, I wouldn't trust it without the sewing. But for holding things in place for sewing, it's a handy little item. Especially for ribbons, slippery little suckers to pin, easy to iron on steam a steam, then sew. I prefer it to stitch witch myself. But it's used for many other things too, this is just what I've used it for so far. The roll of it has earned a permanent place in my sewing kit. Mary
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2468	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: What are Steam-A-Seam strips ? Date: 9/20/12 1:40 PM Ohmigosh, you've started a thread devoted to one of my favorite notions! LOL Before I started sewing seriously, Steam-a-Seam was what I used for *everything--* from the curtains in my mom's bedroom, to hemming pants, to the tiny hems on doll clothes. I still use it (and to a lesser extent Stitch Witchery) to hold tricky bits in place before I sew. For example, I just applied bands of genuine suede trim (which can't be pinned) to a project, and the exact placement was critical. I used strips of Stitch Witchery (b/c it's wider) to fuse the suede in place, making the topstitching go nice and smoothly. The Steam-a-Seam is really nice because it's sticky, meaning you don't have to always press it for a permanent bond; you can use it for situations where you just need things to behave long enough to sew them. I'm not as familiar with Stitch Witchery, which I've only seen in the 1/2" (?) width, but I know Steam-A-Seam comes in a variety of sizes and types. The one I use most is 1/4" Steam-A-Seam 2, which is sticky on both sides. But it also comes in large sheets (~8x10" ish?) so you can use it for applique or patches. One reason I got started with Steam-a-Seam was that years ago, it was available *everywhere.* If I needed a notion late at night in my mom's small hometown, I knew I could pick some up at Walmart. At any rate, *some* type of fusible hem tape is a super-handy thing to have in your arsenal! ------ ~Gem in the prairie
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1356	Login to reply to this post In reply to stirwatersblue << Like this post Date: 9/20/12 2:03 PM Stitch Witchery comes in all sizes too. I like it on wovens (and things that are easily ironed) because I don't have to peel off the paper-I have trouble doing that with Steam-a-Seam; I can't always see the paper.
sew2006 Advanced ON CANADA Member since 6/24/06 Posts: 1704	Login to reply to this post In reply to HOWsMom << Like this post Date: 9/20/12 2:10 PM Dritz makes stitch witchery that's available in Canada. They also have stay tape for stabilizing shoulder seams, no iron needed just sew. Stores that carry embroidery machines have wash away stabilizers good for hems too, I like the Floriani wet n gone tacky or applique wonder. ------ Janome10001, Babylock ESG3, Brother ULT 2001, White 634D serger, Pfaff 1472, Singer featherweight, Singer 14T957Dc, Bernina FunLock 009DCC coverlock, Brother PQ1500S, Janome CP900.
Irene   Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/4/03 Posts: 929	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Subject: What are Steam-A-Seam strips ? Date: 9/20/12 4:36 PM What I particularly like about Steam-a-Seam 2 is that I can position and reposition pieces. It "sticks" like flannel-on-flannel. Placement only becomes permanent when heat and steam are applied. So much more flexible than Stitch Witchery, which must be pressed and is then permanent.

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