doublesided basting tape or temporary hem tape
NansiSews
| Posted in General Sewing Info on
Does anyone have any tips for removing 3/8″ doublesided tape from: 1) silky polyester lining and 2) zipper tape? I have been askd this question by two different sewing friends this week. I was able to see each of their projects andthe packagong from the tape they used. It said it was supposed to be temporary but we could not remove the tape from either surface. Both had only been on for no more than a week, neither had been stitched through, laundered or ironed. There was no tip for removing the tape on the packaging, just cautions not to stitch through it and to remove BEFORE laundering. The zipper issue we can live with but the silky lining is going to be a problem if we can’t get it out. Thanks!
Replies
Good luck. I've taken apart used clothing, purchased ones and the doublesided tape is still there.
Is the tape you are using spongy? perhaps if you describe the tape in more specific detail. Lately when I require tape for sewing, I've turned to the first aid section at the drug store where they carry paper tape thats sticky on one side, that I use for reinforcing leather, etc. If you could also let us know the brand name or a link, perhaps somebody can offer specific advice based on their own experience, or trial and error.
same
Thanks Helga. I have left an email for the people at Dritz/Prym and it says not to expect a response for 2 weeks! We'd like something a little sooner if possible. the tape isn't spongy but it sure is sticky, esp.for something that's supposed to be temporary.
identify the tape
To speed things up, if you could provide the name on the label as specific as possibly, may be a reader from this forum can provide support for you sooner than the people from Dritz/Prym. Someone here might have experience using a similar item but not specifically to what you've used. If you could provide detail, you might meet a helpful match to offer you support from here.
Was the tape ironed on? If it was, perhaps heating it again would loosen it.
treat it like a stain???
can you go ahead and peel it all off, place the affected side of the fabric faced downward and sandwich the piece between two terry cloths on an ironing board, lightly press trying with and without steam, try to manipulate the markings to remove it, try treating the marking as if it were stains, if the markings are damp could you brush it off with another cotton terry cloth or something that has texture that would act as a combing device? this technique worked from removing a soiled spot off of my suede skirt. its all trial and error. make sure all cloths are terry for absorbancy. terry is not a flat cloth so if this method doesn't work, soil adherence isn't consistent. simply ensure you never place direct heat over the good side of your fabric. its a slow process. you don't want to end up scorching in a process of successfully removing your stains.
I have had some success remoning most of the tape from the silky lining fabric. I did this simply by rubbing my thumb hard in one direction from where a section of tape began towards where it ended. After a few starts it actually rolled itself off the fabric surface clinging to itself I guess, until the end. It took awhile but I've gotten everything off. The fabric still feels sticky, though. it would catch on her clothing when whereing the jacket it left as is. I see someone posted an 800 phone no.for the company so I'll have to wait til Mon. to call. My next thought would be to try and wash away the stickiness, but I'll see what they recommend first. Thanks for all the responses in the meantime.
Prym Dritz customer service
customer service information from the Prym-Dritz website:
800-255-7796 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
OK, so I talked to a customer help rep. at the company and she said they have never had anyone contact them with this problem thus far! Of course! I love being the trailblazer! She recommended that I try alcohol as it should dissolve the residue and not harm the poly silky lining fabric. I went ahead and tested a small area first, successfully, an then removed the rest in this manner. My only remaining problem is that the force required to peel the tape off in the first place bruised the fabric like stretchmarks. I have tried pressing them out with a press cloth and dry iron with no luck. Fortunately, the amount I need to shorten the lining (the reason my friend used the tape in the first place) will eliminate most of that.
The rep also said that the difficulty removing the tape could have been to: 1) age of product or shelf life or 2) it could have been sitting around in a high heat situation at some point. This would have been BEFORE customer purchase and use as we live in a cool climate and she used it right away.
Interestingly, there was no offer of reimbursement or incentive to continue purchasing the product or other company coupons. At least I got to speak to real person, though and without being on hold more than 5 minutes. Be thankful for the little things, right?
Possible help for next time
I've had similar problems in the past but then I heard about a product called Wash Away Wonder Tape. It provides a temporary hold on hems, zippers, etc. You can sew through it, and it washes completely away. I learned about it on the Power Sewing web TV shows (www.powersewing.com) hosted by Sandra Betzina and Ron Collins. They use this product for lots of different situations and give handy tips, ie store it in a plastic baggie to extend the life of the product. Hope this is helpful for your future projects!
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