What Is The Difference Between Hem Tape And Fusible Webbing?
If you are looking to experiment with no-sew finishes, you may have come across two very common no-sew hemming techniques: hem tape and fusible webbing. Both of these can be used to clean finish a garment's hem while the result is quite durable and withstand's washing it doesn't always measure up to the good old stitch.
Here are a few main differences between hem tape and fusible webbing:
Here are a few main differences between hem tape and fusible webbing:
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Hem tape is a pre-cut adhesive strip available at a few different width to accommodate your project. You can find hem tape at your local craft/fabric stores on pre-packaged rolls.
Most hem tapes are made of a specialized solid adhesive that when heated with an iron it melts and bonds fabric layers together. Hem tape works well with most fabrics including natural contents like cotton, silk and linen to most synthetics.
You can find it in a regular or heavy duty weight based your particular application. While thinner hem tapes provide a lighter finish, hem tapes tend to dadd some stiffness and structure to a garment's hem regardless of how light they are. Before utilizing them with your project, it is important to consider whether the addition of the tape will compromise the garment's drape and fit.
Most hem tapes are made of a specialized solid adhesive that when heated with an iron it melts and bonds fabric layers together. Hem tape works well with most fabrics including natural contents like cotton, silk and linen to most synthetics.
You can find it in a regular or heavy duty weight based your particular application. While thinner hem tapes provide a lighter finish, hem tapes tend to dadd some stiffness and structure to a garment's hem regardless of how light they are. Before utilizing them with your project, it is important to consider whether the addition of the tape will compromise the garment's drape and fit.
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Fusible Webbing tends to be lighter than conventional hem tapes. As opposed to hem tape which comes readily pre-cut in the width of your choice, fusible webbing is can be purchased by the yard or pre-packaged in a pre-cut portion. The structure of a fusible webbing resembles that of interfacing. It is built from polyamide fiber forming a light, transparent structure. Just like hem tape fusible webbing bonds two fabric layers together with the addition of iron heat.
The beauty of fusible webbing is taht you can cut it as wide as you need based on your particular project. This is especially useful when finishing a wide hem allowance layer or when using it to bond larger surface areas.
The beauty of fusible webbing is taht you can cut it as wide as you need based on your particular project. This is especially useful when finishing a wide hem allowance layer or when using it to bond larger surface areas.
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Regardless of whether you choose hem tape or fusible webbing for your final hemming application it is important to follow the bonding instructions accurately in order to achieve an optimal durable finish. As always, test a scrap of your fabric before using these two techniques as the adhesive can often bleed through to the fabric's face side. In the case of heavily decorative or highly textured fabrics, you may find taht no-sew bonding techniques will not work as efficiently due to the fabrics heat sensitive or the adhesive being unable to attach to highly textured surfaces.
