How to Sew Snap Tape on Clothing

Snap tape lets you apply an entire row of snaps all at once. The ball and socket portions of the snaps are mounted onto separate pieces of twill tape - balls on one piece, sockets on another. You may have seen such snaps applied to the crotch and leg areas of infant sleepers and other children's clothing.

Use snap tape in areas that will receive little or no tension.

Purchase snap tape either by the yard or in prepackaged quantities.

Choose either metal or plastic snaps set onto tape in a variety of widths and colors. The snaps on most tapes are spaced approximately 1½ inches apart.

Check your sewing pattern instructions to determine the recommended length, width and placement of the snap tape.

Measure and cut the appropriate length of tape. Make sure that both the ball and socket tapes are the same length and that the snap sections line up when the tapes are held side by side.

Use dressmaker pins to pin the snap tape into place on each hemmed edge of the garment.

Pin the ball portion to the overlapping edge and the socket portion to the underlying edge. Make sure that the ball and socket portions are aligned with one another.

Make sure that the hems on the overlapping and underlying garment edges are wider than the snap tape.

Use a sewing machine to stitch around the tape, close to the edges. Sew through all fabric layers.