No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape

Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape

I've recently discovered a magical vintage embellishment secret that you won't believe.

Mending tape.


Many people see it as the scourge of vintage collections, since such it's often used to poorly repair vintage and antique pieces, but I've learned it has its proper place in a vintage wardrobe!


I acquired a 1940s book all about it and decided to learn about of the history of this controversial tape.  I thought it was a modern thing, but this 1940s "Press-On" book is promoting it!  I discovered patent information for the Press-On brand dating all the way back to the 1920s and 30s.  Although the mending tape may not have been one of their products then, by the time the 1940s came around it was available to consumers.  I found copyrights for Press-On mending tape from 1941 and 1942 as well, but I've yet to find any period examples of it being used on a garment or item.  (If you've run across any, PLEASE share!)


Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape

Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape - Press-On

However... LOOK AT THE WONDERS THAT CAN BE DONE WITH IT!


This booklet covers a bit of the mending possibilities, but mostly it expounds upon ideas for embellishing things!  One of its key points in persuading consumers is that using mending tape is far faster than embroidery and easy to add on while ironing other laundry.  The rest of the booklet includes design templates and illustrated inspiration for uses of the mending tape.  It's amazing!  Each color in the designs perfectly fit onto a strip of mending tape.


Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape - Patriotic

Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape - Make do and mend

I did wonder though... Is this 1940s tape really the same as modern mending tape?  I did an experiment to find out.  I bought both two packs of 1940s vintage tape and a pack of modern tape and compared them.  I'm pleased to report they feel nearly identical!  The weave on modern tape is a bit finer and it doesn't feel as thick, but that shouldn't effect its usage!   (The vintage one is on the left, modern on the right. Below that is a picture of the two vintage tape widths I got.)


Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape - Make do and mend

Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape - Press-On

While I didn't attempt using the vintage tape (adhesives don't usually age well), the modern tape seemed to work just as described in the book on a monogram I tried.  


Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape - Monogram

I couldn't find the delightful variety of mending tape colors at my local store that was apparently offered in the 40s, but some further online digging could reveal more options in the future.  Vintage tapes came in differing widths, as my two vintage tape packs show, but modern tape widths still worked for all the designs in the book.


Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape

So I tried it out, and I think I'm hooked!  Easy monograms, crisp lines... all for only a few cents and a few minutes, and you don't need to know how to sew!


Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape

I hope you guys can try it out for yourselves, so I've digitized some of my favorite designs in this file you can print.  Simply place the tape on top of the paper and trace the design you want, cut it out, and iron!  For darker tapes you may need to make a paper template to trace around, since they are harder to see through.

Flashback Summer: No-Sew Embellishing with 1940s Mending Tape - Printable templates
Have any of you seen mending tape used in embellishing vintage garments?  What would you use it on?  (If you do end up doing it, I'd love to see pictures!)

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2 comments

  1. Thoroughly interesting stuff, my dear! I can't say as though I can recall offhand seeing mending tape in actual vintage action, but I will definitely let you know if I come across an example. I think one of the places I'd most be keen to try this on would be seasonal (and holiday) table linens. One could pick up (or make) inexpensive solid colour pieces and then jazz them up with a mending tape affixed design.

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. That's a great idea! I've always felt weird about putting so much time into items that can so easily get stained by food, and that would solve that problem!

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