3 Washi Tape DIYs

- claireabellemakes

3 Washi Tape DIYs

Washi tape is a must have craft item in my opinion. Even if you don’t indulge in papercraft, scrapbooking or card making, it’s a useful and pretty way to wrap packages or decorate a letter. Some of you may know already that I’m a massive stationery geek and not afraid to admit it.

So what is Washi Tape? Washi tape originates from Japan and is usually handmade from natural fibres such as bark, bamboo, rice, hemp and wheat. Usually it is made from the bark of the mulberry shrub. Wa means Japanese and shi means paper.

There are several types of washi and masking tape, with many craft stores stocking coloured and patterned tapes made from different materials.

I promised you a DIY here didn’t I? Here are some ways you can make your own tapes – not strictly ‘washi’, but hopefully fun.

For the first washi style tape I gathered together my favourite papers. The one on the right is Cath Kidston wrapping 🙂

Paper assortment: claireabellemakes

For all three of these DIYs, you will need double-sided tape and a craft knife.

  • Cut a strip of tissue paper – this will give a translucent effect like washi paper, but you can also use craft papers as shown above.
  • Cut a strip of sticky tape at your desired length and place onto the tissue paper.

Tissue paper & tape: claireabellemakes

  • Use the craft knife and a ruler to score down the side of the sticky tape on both sides.

Tissue paper:claireabellemakes

  • I then cut little chevrons at the end of the tape, but you can cut straight, diagonal or with pinking shears, it’s up to you!

Arrow ends: claireabellemakes

  • Then peel the backing of the double-sided tape and apply to whatever you wish to embelish. Simple as that!

DIY tape number two uses lace trim. Of course this is not strictly washi tape, but it produces a really pretty result.

Lace Trim: claireabellemakes

  • Use the same principle as the tissue paper DIY above, applying lace tape (or fabric) to the sticky tape.
  • As my lace has a scalloped edge, I used fabric scissors rather than a craft knife to trim the edges.

Lace tape washi: claireabellemakes

  • Peel the backing off the tape and you are done. I love this one as it gives a textured look.
In my opinion, every crafter needs glitter. This DIY tape is the messiest of all, but produces really fun results.

Glitter: claireabellemakes

  • Find the item you wish to apply your tape to first
  • Cut the tape into the desire size, peel one side off the sticky tape and place on your item. In my case, this was a gift tag
  • Then peel the other backing off the tape and you will be left with the clear tape on your item
  • Sprinkle your glitter on – liberally
  • Tap the excess glitter off

Glitter tape washi: claireabellemakes

Glitter tape washi: claireabellemakes

Here are my simple DIY tapes finished! I stamped lettering on the tissue paper one, which worked really well. You could even do this with fabric if you used versacraft ink or similar.

3 Washi Tape DIYs: claireabellemakes

I used my finished DIY tapes and washi collection to decorate some items including one of my notebooks (also covered in the Cath Kidston wrapping) and clothes pegs.

Washi tape Notebook & Pegs: claireabellemakes

Some of you may have seen this one before in my previous posts, but I also used a floral tape to decorate my kitchen chalkboard. What do you think?

Washi Tape Chalkboard: claireabellemakes

I’d love to hear your ideas of how to use washi tapes!

Claire x

 

53 thoughts on “3 Washi Tape DIYs”

  3. Love this! Thank you also for explaining the origin of washi tape, because it seemed to burst onto the craft scene and for a while I didn’t quite ‘get it’. Definitely going to give these ideas a go. Bookmarked! x

  4. Oooh, what lovely ideas! The lace trim is perfection! And I love how you use the tapes you made, too.

    I am a washi tape addict too, and regularly buy them from washitapes.co.uk. I am not allowing myself to buy any more for a little while, because I have a good stash now! I use it for everything, especially my Smash Book, but also for the very boring use of wrapping presents – but it’s genius because it peels off really well so the wrapping paper can be ecologically reused afterwards. I also used some to make cupcake toppers for a party recently (washi tape plus cocktail sticks – easy peasy!)

    1. I am also putting a stop to washi tape spending, at least for a little while (probably next month!). It’s so easy to find yet another pretty one to add to the collection!

      Great idea for cupcake toppers. I want to start a smash book soon so will definitely be using it for that.

      Have you seen I have a dedicated washi tape pinterest board 😉

      x

  5. This is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing, I will definitely be trying this out and I’m gonna pass your DIY along to my mum too, she’ll love it as much as I do! 🙂 Claire x

  8. I have never heard of these before! love them! Might need to come round yours Claire for some help wrapping some end of term presents for my teaching assistant and team! x

  10. I love this post! The labels are great…I might give the glittery ones a go for upcoming teacher gifts…and the pegs!!!…the pegs are fabulous and would work well with a DIY notice board I saw on Pinterest that uses pegs to hang notes on a mini washing line 🙂 x

  19. A really interesting and informative post. I have never used washi tape but now I think I am missing out! Oh no, another potential addiction… 😉

  24. I’d never heard of washi tape, it’s lovely. Thanks for the tutorial. Your pegs are far too sweet to hang the washing out with. Have a lovely week. Ali x

  25. Have seen washi tape for sale but haven’t liked the price tag to go with it so your alternate ideas are great. As a crafter I always have D.S. tape to hand. Hugs Mrs A.

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