Friday, September 30, 2016

The zipper helper or I glue, I glue

One day I opened a drawer on my sewing table and discovered in my stash a 1/4" Washaway wonder tape. I can't remember where I bought it or why I bought it. I studied the instructions and realised that the Washaway Wonder Tape is really double-sided tape. Like the kind we use for sticking paper together. Except it washes away. (the washing away part I can't verify because I haven't tried to wash it)

The instructions say:
"Great for home sewing or crafting. A double-sided, transparent tape that disappears after first washing. Can be sewn through without gumming up your needle. Perfect for holding together seams or hems before stitching."

And I thought it's perfect for zippers and I'm sure I'm not the first person to think this. In the past, I've always thought to myself: why can't someone manufacture and sell double-sided tape for sewing? Apparently it is a thing already and you can find several brands at Amazon like this*.

Previously I used 1/4" fusible web but this requires ironing to adhere and that's waaay too much work.



Remember the zip pouch I made recently? I used wonder tape to stick the zipper to the fabric before sewing. I usually pin or baste the zipper to the fabric. Using wonder tape is so much faster. It is temporary adhesive so that means your placement can shift so you need to be careful. On the other hand, this means you can make adjustments!

I love this product. I wish I had discovered it when I was doing the craft market circuit. Man, I could have sewn a lot faster.

* affiliate links

3 comments:

Bethany said...

I have this in a drawer too, and I can't remember why!! Haha!

Sandra :) said...

I have it too - I use it for ribbon, to keep it from moving while I sew it down :D

Cathy said...

I've never used pins or anything to sew in a zipper. I don't use a zipper foot either. Just hold the zipper and sew it in. My mom taught me to sew when I was very young and we didn't have all the sticky and fusible things available now. I didn't know what a zipper foot was till I Bought my first sewing machine....LOL

Related Posts with Thumbnails

My Bag Pattern Shop

https://www.etsy.com/shop/projectsbyjane

My Applique Patterns

https://www.etsy.com/shop/projectsbyjane?section_id=15580078&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2

My Embroidery Patterns

https://www.etsy.com/shop/projectsbyjane?section_id=15580078&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2