How and where to use Knit Stay Tape

Everything you need to know about Knit Stay Tape - its a miracle.! I'll be using this on all my knit and stretch projects from now on.

You may have seen an earlier video I made some time back now about using Knit Stay tape when sewing double-needle hems on stretch fabrics. This video was really more about the double needle than it was about the stay tape.  It's here in case you missed it.

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Then Anja got in touch about it and asked:

“About the stabilizing tape you use with twin needle and some other places. Could it be possible you will make a video (or that you have one) where you will show and tell about the stabilizing tape. For example when you use the tape and where you are putting it on the clothes? I would like to see how far from the edge you are putting it.Is it on both the front and the back piece or just one of the pieces?”

It's something I use a lot and I think if you sew with stretch fabrics, it's a really good tool, so let's look at it in more detail.

When and why to use a knit stay tape

  1. On stretch fabrics, or could also be used to stabilize a bias seam on a woven or delicate fabric too where some ‘give' is needed.
  2. Use to prevent stretching or give the stretched fabric a bit of support and rebound.
  3. To create a nice sharp edge when it might otherwise be difficult to do this on a knit, because they often don't press well.
  4. In the shoulder seam to prevent long arms from dragging the seams down.
  5. Around the hemline to make it easier to sew.
  6. Along necklines and other fabric edges.
  7. To prevent difficult to work with knits from curling at the edges.

Let's take a look at where and how to use it

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LL-LO6e3xrI&feature=youtu.be

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You can buy it in white, black or ivory.  It comes on a 25-yard roll, 1/2 inch wide, is fusible on one side and will be sent from the US.  Sadly due to the cost of international postage these days, it can only be sent to US addresses.

It used to be pretty hard to find knit stay tape online and you had to order it from some pretty obscure suppliers.  Now it is more readily available on Amazon and other mainstream sources.  Please check out links below.



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Sarah Turnbull
Sarah Turnbull

Update to my previous comment: I have found a similar product that is available outside the US. It is called Vliesofix Bondaweb Tape. It comes in 6, 10 and 25mm widths, in white. It appears to come in either 5m or 30m put-ups.

However, it is a double-sided fusible. (The SewkeysE and Pellon products that I previously mentioned are fusible on one side only.) Double-sided is good for hems, when the tape is enclosed by the hem, but will not work for other applications where you only want to adhere one side.

(I believe that double-sided fusible tape is usually called hemming tape, rather than stay tape, for this reason.)

And I am not sure how stretchy it is. I suggest purchasing a small packet to try it out.

Kristen
Kristen

I look forward to learning more about stay tape. The second video isn’t loading. Could you let me know when this is fixed so I can watch it?

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Kristen

This is not a product that I recommend anymore. The relationship with the supplier has deteriorated.

Dennice
Dennice
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

OK. So sorry to hear this news. What products do you use now and is it available in Australia. Postage from the US is as much or more than the cost of time product.
Kind regards Dennice Taylor

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Dennice

I actually make my own, on days that I do not want to sew but still like to keep busy. Just buy stretchable woven fusible interfacing and cut it at 1/5″ width. Use the beginning part of this tutorial. https://so-sew-easy.com/making-continuous-bias-binding-tape/

Juli
Juli

Thank you for your video. I am a beginner and thought I had to buy a special machine to achieve that finish!

Stacy
Stacy

I am so thankful for your website! I am learning so much and I love your patterns!
The second video isn’t working again. ☹️

So Sew Easy
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Active Member
Reply to  Stacy

Hi Stacy, fixed the video. Not sure what happened. Thanks for letting me know!

Connie Northrop
Connie Northrop

I can’t see the 2nd of the 2 videos. 🙁

Anne Evans
Anne Evans

Thanks for all your patterns and videos. I do know about stay tape but have to confess I never use it but there have been times when I certainly should have! But after reading about it and watching your video I’m going to order some right now!
Thank you once again 🙂

Shifa
Shifa

Very helpful video.

What foot did you use here? is it normal universal foot?

Judith Laister

I found something similar enough in an Austrian shop, it’s called “Formband T12 / Bias Tape T12” by “Vlieseline”. It’s narrower (12mm 1/2 inch) and rather expensive (5,50€ for 5 m) but so far it works well (still on my first project). And it has the extra feature of a sewn-in nylon thread that keeps you from stretching the tape when you iron it, but then you can easily rip it out (or keep it in)

http://www.vlieseline.com/Products/Tapes/Bias%20Tape

Astrid
Astrid
Reply to  Judith Laister

But that’s the thing…”Vlieseline Formband” isn’t stretchy…which makes it suitable for stabilasing shoulder seams, but not hems or other seams on jersey that need to remain stretchy. Freudenberg (the company that makes it), sadly doesn’t produce anything comparable to knit stay tape. The closest you can get is by buying the H180 and cutting your own bias strips with a rollcutter.

MERILIN
MERILIN

Hi! Thank You for sharing! Do You have any suggestions from where I could buy this stay tape (preferably on-line and from Europe)?

Juls
Juls

Super video as always by you Deby. Thank you!

J Bryan
J Bryan

Thank you for this easy-to-understand video on using knit stay tape.

Diana Hutchinson
Diana Hutchinson

The second video is no longer available. It says “This video is private.” I was so looking forward to watching it! 🙁

So Sew Easy
Admin
Active Member

Hi Diana, please have a look again. I have no idea how that video got switched to private but it is public again now. Thanks for your note informing me of this.

Diana Hutchinson
Diana Hutchinson
Reply to  So Sew Easy

Thank you so much! Yes, I am able to watch it now! Great video, very helpful! D

Donna Thompson
Donna Thompson

I love So Sew Easy. Good job. So many good tips and ideas. My local store does not sell this tape, but Amazon has Knit-N-Stable tape from Pellon that is 1 inch wide. How wide is the tape you are using? Thank you!

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Donna Thompson

The one in the the photo is 5/8′ wide.

HS L
HS L

Thank you for a great video with useful guidance on stitching jersey with a double needle, but the link in the video leads to an unavailable product listing and I can’t for the life of me find any fusible stretchy stay tape in the UK: shop assistants think I’m mad when I ask for it, but it’s such a useful product for people who sew, why isn’t it more widely available?! Help, please!

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  HS L

Hi, we had some issues with the last supplier we recommended. I’m looking for a new source right now. I’ll be sure to let you know when I find one.

HS L
HS L
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

That would be wonderful, thank you. I am trying to nail down the details of some tape I have found on eBay, so I shall likewise report back if I have any joy (fingers crossed!).

Mayra Cecilia
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Noble Member
Reply to  HS L

Thanks and please do let me know!

HS L
HS L
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Thank you for putting a link to the Dritz 1/2″ Stay Tape on this page. I have found it available in the UK but it is actually cheaper to buy it from the US, especially if you order more than one roll! I have been making do with fusible interfacing that I have to cut down to a narrower width, which gives an acceptable finish for my own clothes (jersey hemmed with a double needle), but it isn’t ideal and wouldn’t do for a garment for someone else, so I am looking forward to trying out something that comes recommended by So Sew Easy.

Hannah Coombes
Hannah Coombes

Loved watching both YouTube tutorials, thank you. My questions are, would it be helpful to use knit stay tape down the entire seam of a long jersey maxi dress? I think being so long it would be quite heavy. Or perhaps just on the straps/ sleeves? yet to sew jersey, or a maxi dress….can you use knit stay tape with an overlocker? Thanks in advance

Mayra Cecilia
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Noble Member
Reply to  Hannah Coombes

Use the tape when you are hemming, around the neck, and sleeves. Use a twin jersey needle, sometimes I use a walking foot. Follow this tutorial, it is a very nice free pattern and the steps by steps photos will help you feel more conformable tackling jersey fabrics.
https://so-sew-easy.com/wrap-maxi-dress-pattern/

terracottaurn

I was taught to sew baby knitting yarn into shoulder seams in knit fabrics to stabilise them.

Jane Mayfield
Jane Mayfield

I am looking for fusible knit stay tape but cannot seem to find it. I am in the US.

Mayra Cecilia
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Noble Member
Reply to  Jane Mayfield

Hi Jane, you can find the product here in our Etsy store for US delivery: https://www.etsy.com/listing/225739104/knit-stay-tape-12-inch-wide?ref=shop_home_active_1

Hope that help. Kind regards, Mayra

WE NO LONGER HAVE THIS ITEM AVAILABLE< SORRY GUYS!

Gillian Saunders
Gillian Saunders

I have been trying to find something similar in the uk. Not found any tape but … I have found this interfacing on Amazon – just about to order some and try it. I will need to slice it into strips to make tape, but this shouldn’t be too hard with a long quilting ruler and a rotary cutter.
Amazon link -http://amzn.to/2bNS7f3

Claudon
Claudon

Hello. I least in France this kind of tape is called “ruban thermocollant intissé(unwoven) or woven (tissé)” also look for Clover brand “fusible web tape”
Hope it helps
Yvette, Tokyo

Nicole

I have also been looking to find this in the uk without any luck. I have been using the swimwear clear elastic instead. It’s not as thin as the knit stay tape but works great as well. Meanwhile, if anyone knows where we can find knit stay tape in the uk, please let us all know!

Martine
Martine

Do you know the name of the brand or manufacturer? That would be helpful for me, I’m trying to find a company that sells stay knit tape in Europe.

Robyn Jones
Robyn Jones

Hi Deby, I love the idea of the staytape. I used the double sided hemming tape but would like to get the one you used.i live in Australia so cant get it from you, I have found staytape at Punch with Judy. She has straight and bias which one do you think would be best to buy.

I use the plastic stretch tape for my shoulder seams and I also have cotton tape but not sure of the right places to use them. Lots of questions sorry about that.

Love your patterns and site.

Robyn Jones
Robyn Jones

Thanks Deby, there are so many different tapes, maybe that would be a good subject for you to give a tutorial on 🙂 . It’s very confusing, sounds like I used the wrong one for the shoulder seams. I’m sure it would be well received. Thanks again Robyn

Dawn
Dawn
Reply to  Robyn Jones

I agree with Robyn. I get glazed over when I look at all those tapes!

Robyn Jones
Robyn Jones

Hi Deby , I managed to purchase some fusible tricot interfacing for knits from Spotlight here in Australia. Now I will be able to do the hems properly. It is in 3 metre lengths and was around 18 Aud. Just thought I would let you know so all the Australian people that follow your blog can get it there.

It will have to be cut but that will be easy.

Kathleen
Kathleen

I love using the stay tape on the curved hems of knit tops. I have also purchased it in 1/4 inch and use it with “slippery” fabrics when I need to sew a small hem. It makes it so much neater looking-no wavy edges. I love it! I would like “thanks”! Thanks for all your detailed info and freebies! I have sewn for years, but I have learned more from you in just a few short months by reading your blog!

Rosalie
Rosalie

Would this product help in stabilizing a flat feld seam in a pair of stretch knit pants? My first attempt at taking the riser seam in at the seat puckered even though I double stitched.

Rosalie
Rosalie

Thank you. I’ll see if I can find a similar product here and give it a try.

misha
misha

Do you know of any suppliers that will ship internationally?

Erin

Thank you! I’ve always heard about using knit stay tape, but wasn’t exactly sure *how* to do it. This is great 🙂

elinor
elinor

I have used Stitch Witchery in the past with great results. Is the Stay Tape the same thing?

Joan
Joan

Long before the stay tape was available I always used stitch witchery tape. It will stretch enough so seams won’t pop. I used to sew it to my hem edge first, then turn and press using a damp press cloth. Just do not let it hang off the ironing surface when it it hot because it will stretch out of shape. When applying it to a curved edge, I stretched the stitch witchery tape as I sewed it in order to ease the seam. Wonderful for circle skirt hems.

Monique
Monique
Reply to  elinor

Elinor I just came across this as I am refreshing my skills bcuz it’s been awhile since I sewed last. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you so much for mentioning stitch witchery tape bcuz I definitely know what that is but had no idea about any of the other’s mentioned except maybe the clear swim tape but having a hard time finding that one. Stitch witchery tape is everywhere though so again thank you very much! Am so grateful! ????

claudia
claudia

Thank you for the video. I always wonder why my neck and hem lines were always wavy. I’m going to use this tape for now on!! Thanks again