Basting tape
 

I have read lately about basting tape for borders. I went to JoAnns and looked at the several different ones that they had. They all were double faced tape, but all said do not sew thru.
What should I be looking for?

I don't know what basting tape for borders is. Do you mean bias binding tape?

Onebyone has asked the question I have. Will be happy to help with more info.

I hadn't heard of using basting tape for quilting either, so I looked online for some answers. I found some sources saying that the basting tape should be left in and others saying it's never left in. Most of them were using the tape for heavier fabrics, like sail making, rather than for quilting. Some gave advice on how to keep your needle from getting gunky, but still said to remove the tape when done. The best I can figure is that you would use a thin tape that just goes in the seam allowance and not sew directly on it, then remove it when you're done sewing. I think I'll stick with pins! Or another solution is to use washable glue. I don't do that (yet) but many people do.

Thank you, dunster, for enlightening the rest of us.

I've occasionally used Elmer's School Glue instead of pins, and it works just fine (as long as you wash the quilt at the end, of course). FWIW I've gone back to using either pins or Clover "wonder clips" - mostly pins.

I have used water soluble basting tape on heirloom sewing projects. It works very well, and I have considered it for basting bindings. The only thing that keeps me from it is the cost - Elmers glue is a lot cheaper :-). The type of tape I had completely washed out of the very fine batiste fabric I used so I am sure it would wash out of a quilt. The brand I used was Wash-A-Way Wonder Tape. It sewed beautifully, even with a 65/9 needle and 50 and 60 weight thread. No adhesive build up on my needle at all. After my experience with on the heirloom projects, I started using it to keep plaids matched up and to do zippers on garments. Can you tell I am a fan?

Pam

I guess I was thinking binding and typed borders. I have read where people are using a double sided tape for binding, after it is sewn to the back and wrapped around to the front. They are using that instead of pins or clips. I was sure I had read it on here.

I think I saw this done on Sewing With Nancy, but don't remember which episode. You might see what she sells at Nancy's Notions.

Google Dritz Quilting "WashAway Wonder Tape" This might be what you are looking for. It's what I use to hold the binding in place on the back of the quilt to finish the binding.

I have use Wonder Tape for piecing but never used it for bindings. I didn't realize it was binding tape.

I guess you are getting old when new inventions are brought out for quilters. Never heard of this either. For hand stitching the binding to the back, I just use Clover clips. I couldn't see using glue or anything sticky because sometimes you need to make a tiny bit of alteration.

I use wonder tape liberally for putting in zippers and things like that - but for binding, it's Elmers all the way. Easy, cheap and works great.

Hi DivaDee. I have been wondering if you would pm me here on the board. Thanks!

I have used the tape for years -- my DMIL used it when she sewed ultra suede suits and introduced me when I sew denim and corduroy. The older stuff would gum the needle, so I generally used it in the seam allowance. Recently, I used it when I bound a round-ish table runner and it worked great with no gumming up the needle. I agree it is expensive -- for bigger projects I like good old Elmers.

DH used it when he reupholstered seats for a 74 Nova.