Washi tape might look simple, but in a sewing room it’s a real multitasker. Our Patterntrace Washi Tapes are designed to be strong enough to hold, easy to remove, and gentle on paper and fabric — making them ideal for everything from pattern drafting to stitching at the machine.
Whether you’re tracing patterns, making adjustments, or sewing your final garment, here are some of our favourite ways to use seam guide and measuring tape washi tape to make sewing smoother, neater, and more enjoyable.
When you’re tracing or drafting patterns, it’s easy to end up with smaller offcuts of Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper. Washi tape is perfect for piecing sections together so you can make the most of every sheet.
Because it sticks securely without tearing the paper, you can tape pieces together smoothly, keep edges aligned, and continue tracing or drafting without bulky overlaps.
If you’ve made a pattern adjustment — such as a full bust adjustment, shoulder adjustment, lengthening, or widening a pattern — washi tape is ideal for holding everything in place.
It allows you to:
If you’ve made lots of changes, you can even tape everything together temporarily, check the shape, and then retrace a clean final version.
Washi tape is also great for visual organisation when pattern hacking. Use small strips to:
Because it’s easy to remove or reposition, you can experiment freely without committing to permanent marks straight away.
Suggested image:
Pattern pieces with short strips of washi tape marking new seam lines.
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Using washi tape to mark sewing pattern adaptations and new seam lines.
One of the most popular uses for our Seam Guide Washi Tape is as a removable seam guide on your sewing machine.
Simply stick a strip onto the machine bed at your chosen seam allowance and use it as a visual reference while sewing. It’s especially helpful if:
And when you’re done? Peel it off — no sticky residue left behind.
Because Patterntrace washi tape peels away cleanly, you can even stick it directly onto fabric and sew right alongside it.
This is particularly useful for:
Once stitched, simply remove the tape — no marks, no residue.
Suggested image:
Fabric under a sewing machine foot with washi tape placed parallel to the seam.
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Sewing next to washi tape used as a temporary seam guide on fabric.
Some fabrics make it almost impossible to tell which side is which — especially linens, double gauze, or subtly textured cottons.
A small piece of washi tape is a simple solution:
Our Measuring Tape Washi Tape is brilliant for planning before you cut or sew. Use it to:
It’s a great way to test ideas without committing to permanent marks.
From pattern drafting and adjustments to accurate sewing at the machine, washi tape is one of those tools you’ll reach for again and again. Lightweight, flexible, and residue-free, Patterntrace Washi Tapes are designed to support every stage of your making process.
👉 Explore our Washi Tape range here and discover just how many ways it can simplify your sewing.
