I always keep a roll of scotch tape handy in my sewing notions. Among the many uses I have found for it when sewing:
1. Holding together a place in the fabric where I got a little scissor happy and accidently nipped it, until the hem was stitched in.
2. Tape over buttons when sewing by machine to hold them in place. When done, tear tape off.
3.I don't use pattern weights, I use scotch tape to hold down my tracing cloth when tracing patterns. I also use it on the outside edges of the pattern. Cut tape off even with pattern edge when done tracing.
4. When changing needle types in the middle of a project (say attaching a woven skirt to a knit bodice), place a piece of tape over the needle you just removed and tape it to the front of your machine. This way you'll know the needle is still okay, and it's handy when you want to change place it back on the machine.
5. Use a piece of tape with markings for each seam allowance you use (1/4", 5/8, etc.) if your machine doesn't have markings on the throat plate, or if your machine is in metrics and you use the imperial system of measurement.
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I use tape, too, but you gave me some new ideas! Don't forget to wrap trim and cord with tape before cutting to prevent raveling. Cut right in the middle of the tape after firmly wrapping it.
4/21/05 6:34 AM
Andee
That's a good tip! I had never heard o fthat one..
4/21/05 7:13 AM
1/2" tape is also very useful for marking zipper stitching lines.
4/21/05 9:41 AM
I always have a roll of masking tape hung up on my bulletin board in front of me. I do a lot of the same things - use if to hold buttons in place while sewing, use it on the throat plate when seam allowances are larger than marked on the plate, and I use it to take out threads from seams that I have ripped out. Just press it hard against the threads and pull it off. It's amazing how much easier it is to pull threads out that way. Good tip.
4/21/05 10:44 AM
Thanks for some new ideas on using tape. I always have a roll handy when I sew.
4/21/05 11:12 AM
Here's another one: If you use a tracing wheel to transfer markings, you can put scotch tape over those areas on the pattern tissue that have gotten a bit mangled by the wheel.
4/21/05 5:02 PM
If you plan to use the pattern again, and press it before you use it, regular scotch tape might melt or get otherwise gunky. (Yes, like always, I found this out the hard way.) In those cases, I use sewer's fixit tape (same as medical cloth tape I think).
7/27/05 4:54 PM