Sewing Patterns & Supplies

sewing body measurements

Measuring Wheels Are For Measuring A Long Distance Single Handedly

Measuring tapes are no longer strips of cotton that you wound tightly to carry around in your pocket or store in a toolkit. Of course, you can still find such tape measures, but there has been a revolution in the field of measuring tape since your grandma used them to take measurement before sitting down to sew that wonderful dress for you or your sister! Or… am I talking about your mom’s grandmother? May be…

The measuring tape that grandmothers used is called body-measuring tape. They are used by tailors and dressmakers all over. They are generally made out of flexible materials so that they can measure waists, armpits, neck, as well as body length, arms or legs. In the beginning, such tape measures were made out of cloth, then out of plastic and now they are made out of fiberglass. Since fiberglass do not tear or stretch easily, such measuring tapes are in maximum demand. More recently, the manufacturers have started coating them with vinyl for easier handling. The marking are now made with UV resistant red and blue ink.

Have you heard about self-marking measuring tape that allows one hand measure and mark without external device? Or about magnetic tapes that sticks to ferrous surface so that you can take the measurement single handedly without any assistance? There are also digital measuring tapes that not only show accurate measurements, but can also memorize it and so you do not need to write it down immediately. In addition, with a single push of a button you can convert the metric measure into imperial measure or from imperial to metric.

What was a new invention yesterday is outmoded today… that is what is progress is all about. Unless there was that penchant for improvement, man would have lived in caves even now. He has been tirelessly working to improve his lot since the day he invented fire. See, how consistently he is improving his tools since the day he picked up stones to kill animals or defend himself! That he would improve his measuring tools is nothing surprising at all.

However, like everything else laser measuring tapes too has its share of defects. Let us go through them:
• To get the measure, you need a target, which means they are of no use if there is no ‘target”. You cannot measure from point A to point B in an open field.
• They are not really very good at measuring a very small distance.
• They are too expensive a gadget for personal use.

Another new invention in the measuring industry is measuring wheel. These are for measuring distances. In general, these are used more carrying out a rough check on more accurate measurements. Other than that, you will find measuring wheels to be very handy if you are doing some reconnaissance work. They are attached to a vehicle with rear-mounted hitch. You simply have to walk it over the terrain you want measured. They allow longer distance to be measured with comparative ease.

Measuring wheels are a simplified version of surveyors’ wheels and can be used to measure quite a long distance single handedly. It consists of a wheel with one-meter circumference. That means the wheel covers one meter by each rotation. It can be maneuvered by a handle and is fitted with a brake. All you need to do is to walk the measuring wheel in a straight line. The distance so covered will be displayed on a digital screen attached to it.

However, there has been an improvement here too. Today measuring wheels are capable of giving out a more correct reading even over rougher grounds. For those who are little jittery about using high-tech gears, the manufactures often supply detailed manual along with the measuring tape. Read them and follow their instructions. If you are buying them from your local shop, you can ask for a demo or at least enquire more about their workings.

If you buy them from regular shops, you can ask for a demonstration. Do not worry, if you have to buy them online; most of the online shops have good customer care service. Moreover, it is no secret that you get them at a cheaper rate when you buy from online shops because they do not have overhead cost to bear. What is more, the shipping is free within a specified distance. The delivery time is always mentioned beforehand and they do try to stick by it. Therefore, you do not have to wait endlessly. However, from wherever you buy it, buy it after much deliberation and do read the user manual thoroughly.

About the Author

All homes come to a term of improvement one way or another. With this, you will need expert home improvement advice and Tania Hurtis is the person that you need. Check her website so you can learn more from her about using the right tools for best precision for home improvements such as measuring tape, drills and other precision tools.

Why can't we just end vanity sizing?

Are there any initiatives to end vanity sizing? I'm sick of not having a clue what will fit me when I go clothes shopping. It varies wildly depending on what store I go into. Not only that, even though my body hasn't changed, I seem to get "smaller" every few years.
In sewing, you have standard measurements for sizing. Why can't we have something similar for mass produced clothing?

Yes, I agree, end vanity sizing......in fact stop using numbered sizing altogether and just use measurements instead. Life would be so much easier!

Take care : )

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Dritz Fiberglass Tape Measure 120 Yellow 840 $1.49 A quilter's tape measure. Size: 3/4" x 120". Color: yellow. Non-stretch reinforced fiberglass. Extra-wide with large clear markings. Metric on reverse side....

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