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’ve shared my collection below from my favourite sellers Fawn and Flora, Cath Kidston and DobleEle (who also sell cool jewellery).
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 
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.
- Use the craft knife and a ruler to score down the side of the sticky tape on both sides.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- Peel the backing off the tape and you are done. I love this one as it gives a textured look.
- 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
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 or similar.
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.
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?
I’d love to hear your ideas of how to use washi tapes!
claireabelle x
Kimino Recarnate uses washi tape to make really beautiful pendants – http://kimonoreincarnate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/life-lately-in-pictures.html
Oh wow they are really pretty and what a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Mmmm, your beautiful blog made my coffee break! Thank you x
What a lovely comment
Thank you Kath x
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
Glad you enjoyed the post, let me know when you try it! X
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!)
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
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
Thanks Claire, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It is such a simple DIY too – anyone can do it! x
you shared GREAT ideas!
Thanks Heather!
Love these ideas! Beautifully done. I am starting a new link party on my blog tomorrow. I would be delighted if you stopped by tomorrow (Wed.) and linked this up. http://thelifeofjenniferdawn.blogspot.com
Thanks Jennifer! I’d love to come over and link up on Wednesday. Your blog is just my cup of tea x
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
Ooh yes please do, I love wrapping stuff!
This was a great way to use up my hoard of wrapping paper scraps (and a whole reel of double-sided tape)! Thanks for the tips!
Glad to have helped with recycling your stash!
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
Thanks for sharing this DIY! I love the simplicity of it.
Blessings,
Carrie
So glad to have discovered your blog! I love Washi tape, but I love your diy ideas even more!
Thanks Dawn, have fun trying them out! I’ll be sure to stop by your blog too.
cool, seeing this really makes me want to look for that tape here! What a cool idea, thanks for sharing!
Such a bunch of brilliant ideas, Thanks for Ahring and have a happy and great Day!
Thanks for stopping by!
This is a GREAT tutorial!!! LOVE all the washi tape you created!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Thanks for hosting such a great link up, glad you liked the post x
so easy and efficient, I love this! my favorite is the glitter one – although I know bits of the project would still be around the house for weeks after
What a pretty idea, looks like a lot of fun!
I am not sure how I have got this far in my life without knowing about this. It is really pretty and certainly lifts everyday items.
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…
I have never used or bought Washi Tape, but always am really attracted to it when I stumble across it on Etsy. Your DIY Washi tape ideas are great, and I love your notebook, pegs and chalk board!
It’s so simple but effective. I particularly love the glitter idea.
Will have to get myself some double sided sticky tape.
Thanks for sharing the idea.
Wow, this is really lovely looking blog ! I love the idea of the tapes – so cool especially on the cloths peggs.
Thanks for stopping by, glad you like the blog!
What a brilliant idea and so effective.
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
Thanks for your lovely comment Ali – I’m still thinking of where to use the pegs!
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.
Yes, sometimes it can be pricey and often a good range is only available from US sellers. I am definitely going to make lots more of the tissue paper tape.
A great idea, especially the one with glitter, so much neater than using glue.
Jan
I love your ideas for making washi tape.I was just about to buy some but now I don’t need to!Thanks for the inspiration
Wow these are good!
oooh never heard of this tape before! What a lovely idea and nice effects
I may have to have a go x
These are awesome!!! I especially like the little pegs. What a great idea.
The pegs are my fave… I may have to go to Paperchase to get some!
Ooo, I love the glitter one! I’m featuring these tonight at my link party! Thanks for linking up!!
Kathryn
destinationcraft.blogspot.com
Thanks so much Kathryn! I will definitely stop by & have a look at the other blogs x
This is genius! Washitape is expensive but this? Not at all! Thank you so much for sharing! I love the glitter one
No problem. The only thing I’ve found is that where washi tape peels off, stick tape wont very easily!
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Nice ideas!
Here are some of my ideas for working with Washi Tape:
http://ladylunaskreativeparallelwelt.blogspot.de/2013/02/masking-tape-washi-tape.html