How To: Tailor's Tacks

Usually when I transfer markings from patterns to fabric, I use a tracing wheel and colored tracing paper. When I cut out the Blue Crepe Dress, and went to begin the process of marking, I had second thoughts about using the tracing paper. The nature of the crepe makes it delicate and the light blue necessitated using a brighter color (besides the white I usually favor) which made me worry that it would be pressed through to the right side of the fabric. Yikes. So, I used tailor's tacks.

Here is the process, for those not familiar. It really doesn't take that long to do. For tucks, I mark along the seam line the fold and the "fold here" locations. For darts, I mark the location at the seam lines and at the point (you may mark as many times as you want for darts). For pin tucks, the top and bottom of the tuck. For any other mark you encounter, just tack it.

Step 1: Using a hand sewing needle and a single thread, take a 1/8 to 1/4" stitch. Leave plenty of tail.

Step 2: Take another stitch over the one you just took and leave a loop. Cut the thread, leaving another 1" of thread.

Step3 : Mark all of your tacks.

Step 4: Cut the loops.

Step 5: Pull up your pattern, leaving the threads through the double layer of fabric.

Step 6: Gently pull your two layers of fabric apart slightly, taking care to leave thread through the top layer.

Step 7: Cut the threads between the layers.

Step 8: Separate the layers and marvel at your tacks!