using blue painters tape for quilting - clarification
 

Hello.. I have read about how useful the blue painters tape is for quilting. I wanted to give this a try but I would like some clarification. If I use the tape on my quilt for marking where to machine quilt.... I lay the tape on the quilt top and do I set my needle directly next to the tape? What happens if I accidentally sew on the tape - does that ruin things? Please let me know your thoughts. I looked for some videos to help me know how to start, but I couldn't find any Thanks

Yes, you set your needle next to the tape and if you sew over it that means you are going
too fast. Just slow down and everything will be good.
Two more things when you sew over the tape - your line might be a little crooked and
you might have to change the tape for the next tape because your tape may not longer
be straight. Just depends how bad it is. Don't worry, just have fun.

I have used it not for following line in quiltng but for sandwiching. It is stronger than masking tape and if any kind of silicone has been put on tables it does hold better.
My problem with it does all the sticky come off as it is so much stronger?

there should not be any sticky residue left behind if using painters tape- masking tape leaves a horrible residue that may or may not come off, may or may not leave a stain---the reason for using painter's tape instead is to avoid those problems. don't iron over the tape though. if you do have any residue left on your quilt after removing painters tape it should wash away when your quilt is laundered.

I use it all the time for sewing in zippers on clothes. Works amazing and I just sew right through it then peel it off. I also used it on the queen size labyrinth quilt I made for straight line quilting. It worked great for that too and I didn't feel any residue. When I stitched over it, I just peeled it off like I do the zippers. Any little bits left behind will come out in the wash.

I agree, painters tape should not leave a residue - the tackiness is less so that it doesn't pull paint off the wall. I've used it before, too. I do prefer to draw my lines on the quilt though.

Any time that I'm just going to do grid quilting, I use painters tape. For me, it's a lot easier than marking.

Thank you for your replies... they covered my concerns. Now I am ready to go!!:thumbup:

Good luck, you should do just fine!!!

i use it for marking the line on my ruler that i want to cut to---so my eyes do not get confused with all the markings
speeds the cutting

nice that it comes in several widths

This is exactly the tip I needed to finish quilting one of my quilts! I want straight lines and after numerous failed attempts, just put it away. Now I think I can tackle it again using painters tape :-D Thanks so much for the tip!!!!

Oh my another great post. I have been wanting to try the painters tape and now with all these concerns addressed, I am going to get me some to use. Thanks everyone for all the tips.
Pat

When sewing parallel lines, I use the tape to mark and sew my first line. After that, I use the guide that came with my walking foot to follow each previous sewn line. If you don't have one of these guides, you can buy them separately from the foot; just be sure you'll be able to attach it. Sure saves on the cost of tape if you can use one.

Great tips!! Thanks from me too!! :)

I love using the blue painters tape for quilting, and for when I baste. It sticks well, but doesn't seem to leave any sticky residue. I quilt along the edge of the tape, then remove it, and re-position it. The same tape can be used many times before replacing with a new strip.
For quilting simple shapes, I have cut the shapes out of contact paper, quilt around, and again, re-use.
If you happen to sew into it, you can get it out, maybe using tweezers if you need to. Depending on how far you sewed into it, it may not be re-usable.

The green painter's tape comes in 1/4" width and I have used it to make sure I am getting an exact quarter inch seam and it comes off the fabric very easily and then started using it for marking in several different ways (rulers, patterns, etc) and since it is only 1/4", it comes off very easily and I use mostly vintage machines and can put it on the bed out from where my quilting foot begins and it has been extremely helpful teaching my 9 year old granddaughter to make nicely done seam allowances. Then I can just take it off the bed with no damage at all to the surface of these older machines. My Featherweight was extremely please with it ;-).

I use it when I'm ripping out stitches and there's lots of little threads. It's a great way to quickly remove them.

Love this Site
 

I love this site, I learn so much here, I will now be friends with painters tape. I read it every day and every day I learn something new and beneficial. Thanks everyone. :thumbup:

Thanks for the great idea. Have used the painter's tape for quilting but never thought of using it for zippers.

Love this thread = it is answering questions I had not even thought of but the information is great!
Thanks to everyone who has responded!

Or you can put your 1/4" foot up against the tape and you will have a little wiggle room in case your stitching is not dead on.

If my painter's tape isn't the exact width I want my rows to be I draw an arrow pointing to the side I want to stitch on. Then I can tape several rows at a time and not forget which side to sew on.

I apply the tape on my machine at 1/4 inch from the needle. This gives you a guide to sew by. I worked great when teaching my daughters. FOund many new uses on here!!

If you sew into the tape it's not the end of the world. You may cuss a bit pulling the tape off.

I use it most ofen to keep a bias edge from stretching out.

I use the same words in my response---------it's not the end of the world"!!

I've used roll after roll for marking on my rulers.

Thank you, thank you! My hands hurt to much to pull more than a couple stitches with a tweezer.

I just line the edge of my walking foot up with the tape and never sew into it.

I use it a lot! Show us how you did!!!