PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,268 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,268 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
12 
Member since 4/20/05
Posts: 989
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 6/27/05 12:09 PM ET
After a few unfortunate experiences with various marking tools (namely, marks not disappearing or not washing out), I've decided to use tailor tacks to mark dots, etc. on my fabric. I'm asking for tips on using tailor tacks. Is it okay to use embroidery floss? What can I do to make sure the thread doesn't pull out? I'd appreciated any tips, techniques or advice on using tailor tacks.
------
I sew, therefore I am.

See more at "Another Creation" on facebook

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel - "Elaray"

  
Member since 8/2/02
Posts: 2006
Send Message
Posted on: 6/27/05 12:35 PM ET
In reply to Elaray
The Sew News website has a pretty good illustration on how to do them:

Marking with Tailor's Tacks

..trust me: they really won't come out if you make the thread tails long enough.

I suppose you could use embroidery floss; 2 srands would be enough. A soft all-cotton basting thread also won't leave any holes or marks in the fabric. I usually use a hand embroidery needle because they're pretty sharp..

Phyllis
------
Sewing = Fashion
http://coudremode.com/

Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 2728
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 6/27/05 12:39 PM ET
yep, they work great. Been using them for years -- not on quickie garments, but on anything requiring accuracy for sure.

Nina
  
Member since 9/14/02
Posts: 2707
Send Message
Posted on: 6/27/05 12:51 PM ET
Actually, I recently read that tailors' tacks are supposed to be done with embroidery floss. The reason being that it is less "slippery" than regular thread.

However, I've had pretty good luck using regular thread, just make the tails long enough so they won't slide completely out.

Sometimes, I mark dots by placing scotch tape over the spot and then marking with a washable marker. This way, you're not actually marking the fabric. This doesn't work in every instance, but something to keep in mind for certain cases where it's o.k. to sew over tape.
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 2704
Send Message
Posted on: 6/27/05 12:53 PM ET
I use them all the time, I think it is faster than tracing or whatnot. I usually use cotton or silk thread, or old Coats and Clark in weird colors that I am trying to get rid of. They only get lost if you cut them too short, or if you pull them out thinking it is a stray thread. I also try not to sew over the thread ends too much, but they will come out even if you do. You can fuse interfacing over them and still pull them out, although that might not be the best way of doing things....
------
mmmmm woooool
  
Member since 2/13/05
Posts: 1340
Send Message
Posted on: 6/27/05 1:31 PM ET
Definitely the weird colors are a good idea. If you use something close to the fabric you're sewing, you're more likely to pull it out, thinking it's a stray thread. I use weird colors when I hand baste fabric too, in part so I'll know which thread to pull out when I'm done, and which thread not to pull out before I'm done.
------
Muria

Where did all this fabric come from? I CAN'T have bought THAT much!
  
Member since 11/30/04
Posts: 416
Send Message
Posted on: 6/27/05 4:28 PM ET
I've already had the thread color bleed onto the fabric. That wasn't too nice. I try to stay with neutral colors.

I use chalk quite a bit, but there are different kinds of that stuff. I don't like the stuff with the wax in it. There again you have to be careful with the colored stuff.

Hey, some people use soap scraps, but I don't.
  
Member since 10/20/05
Posts: 1185
Send Message
Posted on: 11/10/05 10:01 PM ET
I hope nobody minds me bringing up an old thread, but I figured it was better than starting a new one.

This site is incredibly helpful (and entertaining and time-draining), but there's something I want to figure out that I can't. Tailor tacks go through the pattern itself, right? So then does one not only cut between the two layers of fabric, but also between pattern and the (top piece of) fabric? Thus leaving random-looking pieces of thread hanging free on both sides of fabric?

It's quite possible I've got it all wrong. I've made a fairly decent muslin of a shirt, but used ball point pen to mark it. Something tells me that's not the best option if I ever get around to making something I'd actually want to wear, so I'm trying to learn better options
------
... but what do I know?
  
Member since 10/31/04
Posts: 998
Send Message
Posted on: 11/11/05 3:35 AM ET
When I get done with all the tailor tacks I lift off the pattern piece and starting at one corner start separating the fabric and cutting the tacks as I go so each layer of fabric has about even the amount of thread. Also after cutting the tailor tacks and separating the fabric I mark the fronts, back, right side of fabric with little stickers- especially imp. if fabric looks the same on each side.
As I sew the garment up I remove the tailor tacks and replace them with pins as I use contrasting thread and don't want to sew over the tailor tacks.
-- Edited on 11/11/05 4:36 AM --
------
Penny

Fabric Mart Bundle Fabric sewn- 10.5 yds
  
Member since 10/20/05
Posts: 1185
Send Message
Posted on: 11/11/05 6:14 PM ET
I've seen others suggest little stickers too, I think I'll have to get me some, thanks!
------
... but what do I know?
  
12 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Elliott Berman Textiles
High-end Fashion Fabrics
Specials!
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!