What is Form Tape Interfacing?
What is Form Tape Interfacing?
Form tape interfacing is 12mm wide woven interfacing that is cut on the bias and it has a line of stitching along one side. When this has been attached it stabilises the fabric and stops it from being pulled out of shape. As the tape is cut on the bias it is easy to apply it to the curves of your pattern pieces.
When To Use Form Tape Interfacing?
Once you have cut out your fabric pattern pieces, dressmaking patterns often instruct you to stay stitch around the neckline and armholes to prevent them from becoming distorted when you are handling them and sewing them up. You can apply form tape interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric around the neckline and arm holes instead of stay stitching and this will prevent the fabric from stretching out.
How To Apply Form Tape Interfacing
Lay your pattern piece on your ironing board with the wrong side facing up and lay your paper pattern piece on top to make sure it is all the correct shape.
The rough side of the form tape interfacing has the glue on, when this is heated it melts and sticks to your fabric. Place the glue / rough side down onto the fabric you want to fuse it to.
This particular Prym form tape interfacing needs to be applied with a dry iron on a low to medium heat. Test the settings on a scrap of fabric before you apply it to your garment pieces to make sure you are not going melt the interfacing or damage your fabric if the iron is too hot. Hold the iron on the tape for a few seconds using a pressing cloth and then check to make sure that it has adhered before moving the iron along. Keep the iron still rather than moving it backwards and forwards so that you don't move your fabric out of place.
If you are using a different brand / type of form tape interfacing check the manufacturers instructions.
Have you used Form Tape Interfacing before? Let me know in the comments if you have any tips