Dustin Ravella is an acclaimed magician known for his exceptional magic tricks and performances. His expertise lies in the art of illusion and he captivates his audience with his mind-blowing acts. One of his most famous performances is his "Magic Revealed" show. In this show, Dustin Ravella takes the audience on a journey behind the scenes of magic. He starts by performing a series of mind-boggling tricks, leaving the audience spellbound. As the show progresses, he gradually reveals the secrets behind each trick, breaking down the complex illusions into simpler parts.
Cut the tape to make a straight edge, and place the edge of the tape directly in front of the feed dogs of the machine.
Especially on this machine the markings and presser foot are not straight on my machine, so in this case eyeballing it and using a ruler as a general guide works best. You can use Diagonal Seam Tape anywhere in a pattern that calls for a diagonal seam, or anywhere it asks you to draw a pencil line or diagonal line from corner to corner on the square.
As the show progresses, he gradually reveals the secrets behind each trick, breaking down the complex illusions into simpler parts. Dustin's approach to magic is not just about entertaining the audience, but also about educating them. He believes that understanding the mechanics behind a trick enhances the overall experience for the viewers.
Diagonal Seam Tape™
This page is meant to teach you all about Diagonal Seam Tape. Scroll down to find out what it is, the uses, and why I love it.
Diagonal Seam Tape can be purchased here. For wholesale inquiries, please email me.
Also if you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]. Thank you! -Allison
Want a printable summary of these instructions? Click on this link to find a printable summary!
You can also find a great video of how to use it by my friend Sherry here (click here).
** As with most tape, the natural fibers and adhesives may dry out after a few years. If you find it's not sticking as well as it used to, this may be the cause. I recommend leaving it in a plastic baggie (it comes in a bag for this reason) and that will help prolong it's adhesiveness. **
Printable Instructions for Diagonal Seam Tape
What is Diagonal Seam Tape?
Diagonal Seam Tape is simply washi tape that is placed on the front plate of your sewing machine to act as a guide while you are sewing diagonal seams.
The tape is strong, thin, sticks well to almost any surface, and comes off easily. Each roll has 10 yards of tape so it should last a really long time.
The red line in the center is aligned with the needle of your machine, and the black lines on either side are ¼" to each side from the center of the lines, to represent a ¼" seam allowance. The black lines won't replace a piecing foot with a perfect ¼", but act as an extra guide.
The tape removes cleanly, but I recommend removing or replacing the tape often or after each project to avoid any residue on your machine. This tape is not meant to be a permanent fixture on the machine, and long term use without replacement may result in some residue to clean off.
How to place the seam tape on the machine:
Every machine is a bit different, so there are examples below on two different machines. Scroll down through the photos for more info. You can also see examples of how it's placed on different machines under the Instagram #diagonalseamtape hashtag here.
Cut the tape to make a straight edge, and place the edge of the tape directly in front of the feed dogs of the machine.
Align the red line up with the needle. You can use a ruler to make sure it's lined up, but I find it easy to eyeball it.
The machine I'm using in this photo is a Juki, and you can see from the photos that the ¼" mark on the metal plate is not even close to accurate. It's at least 1/16" larger than ¼". The black line of the seam tape is exactly ¼", and it's so nice to finally have a good ¼" seam allowance reference on this machine!
You can eyeball the tape straight (I do this most of the time), and you can also take a small quilting ruler and line it up with the edge of your presser foot or lines on the metal plate, and just double check that the tape is straight. Especially on this machine the markings and presser foot are not straight on my machine, so in this case eyeballing it and using a ruler as a general guide works best. Don't worry if you can't get it absolutely perfect, your seams should still be just fine.
Placing the tape on my Bernina is much easier because the markings on the machine are accurate.
Place the tape at the edge of the feed dogs, and you can see here that I line the red line up with the needle, and there are two little ¼" marks on the metal plate that match up perfectly with the center of each black line. Perfect ¼"!
It should be straight if you line it up with both marks, but you can double check with a ruler against the foot.
Now you are ready to sew with it!!
Removing Diagonal Seam Tape:
The tape removes cleanly, but I recommend removing or replacing the tape often or after each project to avoid any residue on your machine, especially in high temperatures. If you find the tape as left a little residue on your machine, use a washcloth with warm water, or a gentle cleaner or coconut oil to remove it.
Uses for Diagonal Seam Tape:
You can use Diagonal Seam Tape anywhere in a pattern that calls for a diagonal seam, or anywhere it asks you to "draw a pencil line or diagonal line from corner to corner on the square". Anywhere you would draw a pencil line, you can use diagonal seam tape to save so much time! Below are just a few examples of the uses of this tape, but there are many more! I have a long list of my own patterns where Diagonal Seam Tape works perfect, but a few of my favorites are Chickens, Trellis, Shimmer, Layer Cake Bounce, Batter Up, One Way, Pumpkins, Modern Table Runners, Playful 2, Tahoe, and many more. Anywhere you see any type of diagonal seam, you should be able to use this tape.
Making a flying geese block:
Place the square in the corner of the strip and line up the edges as you normally would, without drawing the diagonal pencil line first. Line the top corner of the square up with the red line, that's where you will start sewing. Line up the bottom corner of the square on the red line. Start sewing at the top corner, while keeping the bottom corner of the square on the red line the entire time. When you get to the very end and run out of tape, just sew to the corner of the square. You will get very fast at this after doing it more!
Now you've sewn a diagonal line! Trim the edge leaving ¼" as you normally would, press the corner out, and repeat with another square in the adjacent side of the strip. Start sewing in one corner (either corner is fine) and keep the opposite corner on the red line the entire time you sew. Trim the corner leaving ¼", and press the seam. You have a flying geese block without ever marking lines or using a special ruler!
Adding Triangle Corners to a Block (a Snowball Block):
Place a smaller square in the corner of a larger square, with the point of the small square at the needle. Start sewing, continuously keeping the bottom point of the small square on the red line until you reach the other point. Trim the corner leaving ¼" seam allowance, and press. Repeat on the other 3 corners to make a snowball quilt block.
Here is a quick Instagram video I made to show using this method to make a Heart Block (heart block pattern found here):
To Make 2 Half Square Triangles:
The size of HST's you can make using this method depends on the size of the machine table in front of your needle. I can make 4 ½" HST's using this method on my Juki, but only 3 ½" HST's on my Bernina. Place a square on your machine on the diagonal to see how big you can go!
Place your two same sized squares together, and align the top point of the squares ¼" to the right of the needle (or the edge of your presser foot if using a ¼" foot). Align the bottom point of the squares on the right black line. Sew, keeping the bottom point on the black line the whole time until the end.
Now do the same on the other side of the point, align the top point ¼" to the left of the needle at the top (or edge of presser foot), and the bottom point on the left black line. Sew the line, cut in between the two seams, and press to make 2 HST's with no marking!
Other uses:
With the accurate ¼" lines on the tape, sewing long strips and strip piecing is especially easy and accurate. Since the ¼" markings aren't accurate on my Juki machine, this tape has been an amazing addition to my sewing. I can see where the ¼" line is and line up my fabric as I sew (and I like to sew fast!).
It's also a great way to help kids or beginners learn to sew because they have a visible line to help them sew a straight and with a ¼" allowance.
There are so many more uses for Diagonal Seam Tape, I could go on and on. I've been using it for a few months and it's been an amazing addition to my machine and speeding up sewing, and it also looks good enough to keep on my machine.
I hope you love it as much as I have, and as always please email me with any questions at [email protected]
Happy quilting! -Allison
By revealing the secrets behind his tricks, he invites the audience to see the art of magic from a different perspective. During the show, Dustin Ravella also shares some of the history and evolution of magic. He discusses famous magicians from the past and explains how their contributions shaped the modern world of magic. This not only adds an educational element to the show but also helps the audience develop a deeper appreciation for the art form. Dustin's "Magic Revealed" show is applauded for its interactive nature. He actively involves the audience throughout the performance, encouraging participation and inviting volunteers on stage. This creates a sense of excitement and wonder, as the audience gets to experience the magic firsthand. Overall, Dustin Ravella's "Magic Revealed" show is a captivating experience that combines entertainment and education. His ability to engage the audience with his mesmerizing tricks, while also enlightening them with the secrets behind the illusions, makes this show a must-see for magic enthusiasts. Through his performances, Dustin continues to push the boundaries of magic and inspire future generations of magicians..
Reviews for "Beyond the Rabbit Hole: Discover Dustin Ravella's World of Magic"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Dustin Ravella Magic Revealed." The tricks were poorly executed and easily exposed. It was clear to see how some of the illusions were done, and it took away from the overall enjoyment of the show. The performance lacked charisma and energy, making it feel like a drag to sit through. I would not recommend wasting your money on this magic show.
2. Lisa - 2/5 stars - "Dustin Ravella Magic Revealed" did not live up to my expectations. The tricks were cliché and unoriginal, leaving me unimpressed. The magician's stage presence was lacking, making the performance feel dull and uninspiring. The explanations for some of the tricks were rushed and left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this magic show.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I found "Dustin Ravella Magic Revealed" to be quite predictable and average. The tricks performed were nothing new or exciting, and I could easily figure out how some of them were done. The magician lacked enthusiasm and failed to engage the audience. It was a forgettable experience that I would not recommend to anyone looking for an awe-inspiring magic show.
4. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I regret attending "Dustin Ravella Magic Revealed." The tricks were poorly executed, and the magician's performance was lackluster. It seemed like he was just going through the motions and did not put much effort into his act. The explanations for the illusions were rushed and left me feeling unsatisfied. I would advise giving this magic show a miss.