For the longest time, stitching has been the staple of garment manufacturing. Whether you’re making a cloth from pieces of fabric or altering the shape or size, stitching is the most widely used method. But the advancement in adhesive technology, and a constant striving for new design and looks in garment production has inspired new ways to work with fabric. Now, it is possible to join fabrics using bonding tapes without relying on traditional stitching methods.
Fabric bonding tapes are designed for use with a variety of fabrics including vinyl, polyester, acrylic, and others. High quality fabric tapes such as Trivantage fabric bonding tapes are waterproof and flame retardant, and as a result, they have multiple applications both in the household and industry. This guide will focus particularly on how to use fabric bonding tape for DIY garment altering projects at home.
Fabric bonding tape is the ideal solution when you want to alter a type of garment with a seamless finish. It comes in a role and is easily usable. Using fabric bonding tape is also a safe way to work with fabrics as it does not require a thread and needle, which can cause pain and injury in the event of an accident. It only needs the heat of an iron to activate the adhesive bonding to join the fabrics.
When you apply a fabric bonding tape, you don’t want any dust, debris, or pollutant coming in the way of the adhesive bonding with the fabric. So the first thing you should make sure is that the garment is clean. Ideally, the garment you’re working on should be pre-washed so that there is no element affecting the adhesive.
If you’re using the fabric bonding tape for shortening a pair of jeans, trousers, shorts, or skirt, measure the length you want to remove while adding at least 1 ¼ inch (3cm) as you’ll want to fold the fabric back inside. Trivantage offers multiple sizes of fabric bonding tapes but most are 1 inch (2.5 cm), so you’ll have to consider this width.
When you cut the end of your garment, you can either leave the tip as it is or make a zig-zag stitch which helps prevent fraying. In any case the end will not show as it will be folded in, and the tape itself can prevent fraying to a certain degree.
Now cut the tape to the length needed for hemming. If it is to repair a hem, measure the size to be repaired and cut the tape accordingly. While your garment is inside out, apply the tape along the line of the hem and then fold it. Make sure the tape is fully covered by the fabric so that no part of the tape is exposed while you apply heat with an iron.
You now have a pair of jeans, trousers or skirt without a seamless hem, and if you’ve done it correctly it should last permanently even after repeated washing.
Conclusion
A fabric bonding tape is a great tool for altering garments not only because it creates a seamless finish, but also because of the safety it offers by eliminating the need to use sharp needles. The process is also quick and can be finished in a matter of minutes given that the garment is prewashed and clean.
If you’re looking for a high quality fabric bonding tape, check out Trivantage Fabric Bonding Tape from our collection. Contact us to place your orders.