Tools of the Trade: Wonder Tape

I realize it's been eons since I've done any of these "notion review" posts, but as I've been toiling away on the toddler backpack, I've been employing Wonder Tape like it's my job.

I never even knew this stuff existed until 5 days ago. I was actually looking for a similar product (Double Face Basting Tape), when I happened upon the Wonder Tape.  Essentially, they're both the same product . . . double sided sticky tape you can use as a basting agent instead of actually using a basting stitch on your machine (or basting by hand if you're really old school).

There are 2 notable differences, however:

1. The Basting Tape is only 1/8" wide, which makes it really perfect for positioning zippers.  The Wonder Tape is 1/4" wide (though I just used it today to position zippers, so I guess they're both perfect for it).
2. The Wonder Tape does not need to be removed.  EVER!  It won't gunk up your machine either with its stickabilities.

That's right!  You just stick it where you need to baste and you can sew right through it with no worries.  (You are NOT supposed to sew through the Basting Tape, and when you've actually finished your stitching you are supposed to remove it.)

In my opinion, both of these are GREAT products (and no, I'm not being paid to say that).  If you don't need that skinny 1/8" allowance though, I really think the Wonder Tape is the way to go.  I'm generally not big on pinning stuff (it does happen, but I try to get away with not pinning most of the time), but certain things really need to be anchored in place before you sew them down (I'm talking about you, zippers). 

Anyway . . . I hope this helps someone who is anti-pinning like me.  I wish I had found this stuff WAY earlier on in my sewing days.  You know, when I used to pin every single inch of my fabric so that nothing could possibly shift. 

No wonder it used to take 5 hours to sew a simple seam.  You think I'm kidding.