Draping Tape: Choosing Between 1.5mm and 3mm

Eight Needles Journal · Patternmaking

Draping tape makes reference lines visible on a dress form. A narrower tape gives a finer visual line, while a wider one can be easier to see from a distance. Choose according to the scale and clarity of the markings you need.

Bunka Draping Tape – 2 sizes – 1.5mm & 3mm (16m long) — Bunka black draping tape comes in two widths. Select the width separately from any case.

Compare 1.5mm and 3mm

Width	Useful starting point	Trade-off
1.5mm	Fine reference lines, close details and half-scale work	A finer line is less prominent when viewed from farther away
3mm	A more visible reference on a full-size form	The wider band hides more of the surface beneath it

Both black Bunka options are 16m rolls. The 1.5mm width is the specified choice for the New Bunka Nude Body 1/2. For another form or a taught course, follow the form instructions or the tutor’s system rather than treating one width as universally correct.

Draping tape marks the reference; it does not measure it. Use a separate tape measure to establish levels and distances before applying the line.

Agree what the line means

Decide whether measurements refer to the centre or an edge of the tape. Keep that convention consistent across the form. A line that changes meaning halfway around a waist or neckline makes later checks less reliable.

The centre of a 3mm strip is 1.5mm from either edge. If you first measure to its centre and later trace along one edge, you have changed the reference. At close intersections, mark the intended crossing clearly and avoid building a thick stack of overlapping tape.

Apply without forcing the shape

Follow the intended reference path and smooth the tape in short sections. Avoid pulling it so tightly that it lifts or changes direction. Step back to check the overall line, then inspect its placement more closely.

Test attachment and removal

Try a short piece on an inconspicuous part of the intended surface. Check that it follows the curve and can be removed without lifting fibres or leaving an unwanted mark. Do not assume repositionable tape is suitable for every fabric, finish or length of application.

If a line keeps lifting, check the surface and how tightly the tape was pulled before pressing harder. Re-measure the reference after repositioning. A tidy-looking line can still have moved from its original position.

Separate colour from measurement

Use colours to distinguish reference lines if that helps your workflow, and write down the meaning of each. Colour coding is an organisational choice, not a substitute for checking the form and the drafting method.

Bunka coloured draping tape options in cases — The coloured tape listing offers a choice of 1.5mm tape with a case. Check the selected colour; the photograph does not mean every colour is included.

A practical example

You use one tape colour for the waist reference and another for a temporary design line. Record the width and whether measurements use the centre or an edge. When the design changes, that note tells you which line can move and which remains the stable reference.