Sewing Patterns & Supplies

measuring tape sewing

How do I shorten curtains that are *slightly* too long, without sewing?

I have some new curtains on a bay window. They are about 1.5cm too long (my fault, I measured wrong). I've put the curtain hooks on the lowest setting on the heading tape, but they're still too long. Are there any curtain hooks or gadgets that will raise them up just 1.5cm? I really don't want to spend the time or money getting them shortened for that tiny amount.

Buy some pushpins from Jo Annes Fabrics or some clip pins. Just go along the bottom and tuck the excess fabric under the curtain. It might show on the backside if its at window height, but I don't think thats the issue. Just pin it up, it will take 10 minutes and no cutting.

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Blue Sewing Tailor Seamstress Cloth Ruler Tape Measure $3.98

Measuring Wheels Explained

Originally, tape measures were intended for use in tailoring or dressmaking are made from flexible cloth or plastic. Today, measuring tapes made for sewing are made of fiberglass, which does not tear or stretch as easily. Tape measures are relatively safe and easy to use. Extend the tape from point to point placing the end-clip at the location you want to measure from. Most tape measures have a clip that can be attached to a fixed object to measure spans easily. Many steel blade tapes have tension-control brakes that lock the blade in place for measuring spans. Longer tapes have a crank on the side of the case to retract the cloth tape. To minimize injury, slowly retract metal blade tapes, keeping fingers away from edges. Prepared from flexible cloth or plastic tape measures were originally designed for using in tailoring or dressmaking purpose. But such measuring tapes are now used multipurpose. They are manufactured from fibreglasses which ascertain that they won’t tear or stretch instantly. These tape measures are excellent for use due to easy features. Point to point placing of such tapes through proper extend helps one measure specific location one measures. All tape measures are manufactured with particualr clip attached to them for fixing purpose which make them smooth. Steel blade tapes come with tension-control brakes that stick blade at certain point while one measures something. Usually longer tapes come with cranks in sides which retract cloth tape and make them effective. Slow the retract metal blade tape by keeping fingers away from edges to minimize injuries. At initial stages tape measures were exclusive for tailoring or dressmaking. They were specially designed from flexible cloth or plastic materials but drastic change has happened now. These tapes are prepared from fibreglasses nowadays. Benefit with them is that they don’t damage and remain in working condition for long. They are of attractive quality and can be used at particular point up to end-clip where measurement ends. Usually such tape measures  are equipped with clips fixed at certain point of object from where measurement starts and then it spreads until last point. Many steel blade tapes are used which also have tension-control brakes adjusted through appropriate locking at the blade. Usually longer tapes come with cranks in side fixes at cloth tape. Metal blade tapes are managed slowly to minimize injury by taking care.

Measuring tapes that were designed for carpentry or construction often use a stiff, curved metallic ribbon that can remain stiff and straight when extended, but retracts into a coil for convenient storage. Very different from the kind of measuring tapes that we use for tailoring and dressmaking. This type of tape measure will have a floating tang on the end to aid measuring. The tang will float a distance equal to its thickness, to provide both inside and outside measurements that are accurate. A tape measure of 25 or even 100 feet can wind into a relatively small container. The self-marking tape measure allows the user an accurate one hand measure and mark without an outside devise. Stiff and carved metallic ribbon are used in tape measures exclusively designed for carpentry or construction work. These materials keep tapes straight while they are widened but the moment they are retracted they adjust into coils easily and are kept in safe storage. They are entirely different from other tape measures The end of aid in such tape measures carries floating tangs which can be floated until particular distance like thickened materials. This specific arrangement makes measurement more accurate and effective. One small container can easily adjust tape measure of 25 or 100 feet. Such useful self-marking tape measures are great options for accurate measurement which becomes possible without any mark or use of outside instrument. There is big difference between tape measures manufactured for carpentry or construction work and one used for tailoring. Stiff and curved metallic ribbon is used in such tape measures hence they remain straight while extended up to certain point measured. Interestingly it gets retracted into particular coil easily once stored. Such tape measures are completely different from those used for tailoring or dressmaking activities. Specific floating tang is used in them at the end portion to make measuring smooth. Such tangs are capable to float in particular distance to be measured in thickness for excellent measurement inside and outside. You can accommodate tape measure of 25 or 100 feet in small container. Such unique tape measures make accurate measurement without outside support.

Measuring Wheels on the other hand, is something entire different from measuring tapes. Measuring tapes would be used to measure a room from one corner to the other, lay the tape on the floor and hook the end into one corner of the room, pull out the tape along the floor, when you reach the other corner push the butt of the tape case into the corner (the butt or back of the case has been flattened for this purpose) and finally, take your measurement from the tape and then add the 3" for the complete width. Measuring wheels on the other hand measure lengths that record up to 9999m, so you are not limited to the length of the tape. The measurer makes it easy to measure curved, horizontal and vertical surface. Below is a further description of what these measuring wheels are:
Unlike the traditional tape measure, the distance measuring wheel is a special tape measure, it is a real time-saver when laying out distribution systems, line and main extensions, underground lines, manhole locations, and inventory and road work. The chassis of distance measuring wheel is constructed of aluminum for all weather use. Flat rubber tires ensure accurate rolling with no slip. A spring operated trigger release plumber brake keeps the wheel locked when not in use. Measuring wheels are basically used for real estate, land measuring, road construction, laying the cable, make the line of playground and so on.
Professional and robust road measuring wheel with built in stand and brake. The wheel is available in metric or imperial versions and is ideal for any distance measuring application. Its features are its large easy to read display, a pointer that indicates start position, its folding, locking handle for easy carriage, and its ability to measure up to 99999.9metres, yards or 99999'11feet and inches to name just a few.
It has a firmly structured, accurate, easy to use and it is easy to carry around with you as well. The measuring wheels come in two different forms – one is of the mechanical variety, and the other is the digital type, and depending on your preference, you can select either one of these forms because they both work the same way.
The measuring wheel is easy to handle or carry, and can be quickly and easily disassembled in a few steps, making it even more portable. This is a very important bit because when you are busy working, you don’t want to be lugging around something that is going to weigh you down, which could slow down your work. You want something that is lightweight and portable, something that is easy to carry around from place to place quickly and efficiently and this is one of the measuring wheel’s most important features.
There is a big difference between measuring wheels and measuring tapes though. Usually measuring tapes are best used for measuring rooms and inside it from a particular corner to the other by merely laying tapes on their floor with the help of hooks from one end of corner to the next one inside such rooms. Tape is pulled out after it is placed at floor for better measurement. One measuring the area pushes the butt of tape case into that particular corner and continues measuring that particular place with the help of the back of case from taking position at particular place. Width and rest of measurement is completed in due course of time. But measuring wheels measure different lengths more accurately which can be up to 9999m. That is why here you don’t have restriction of length of tape in the measurement activity. Your measurer simplifies the whole measuring activity including curved, horizontal and vertical surfaces of the place you would like to measure. You can know about them further below and learn how measuring wheels work in that manner:
Distance measuring wheel is unique and special tape measure unlike those traditional measuring options particularly tape measure of some kind or the other. You enjoy with them by saving enough time and maintaining particular distribution system, line and main extensions, underground lines, manhole locations, inventory and road work in perfect manner. Framework of distance measuring wheels is specially designed from aluminum to make them weather-proof. Their flat rubber tires make them best rolling without any unavoidable problems. Similarly their spring operated trigger release plumber brakes are best wheel controllers while they are to be kept safely. The best use of measuring wheels can be seen in the real estate, land measuring, and road construction work, laying cables or making certain lines in the playgrounds or uses alike.  
Usually professionally designed measuring wheels are of best quality meant for road measuring activities. They come with built in stand and brake and their wheels are adjusted in metric or imperial manner. They are excellent to measure various distance measuring activities. The large and easy to read display of such measuring wheels are their best features which are best position indicators from the initial to the end point. The folding and locking handle make them easily movable. These measuring wheels are capable to measure nearly 99999.9metres, yards or 99999'11feet.
You can use them without worrying as they are well designed, structured, perfect, easily movable and great options for outside use. There are two specific methods through which you can use measuring wheels which include mechanical style and the second category is famously called digital one. This all depends upon one’s preference and choice. As both work effectively hence you have the option to choose any of them.
Easy to handle features differentiate measuring wheel from others. They are adjusted or readjusted easily without putting unnecessary efforts and applying certain specific steps. That is why they are considered best portable even after being so huge. You enjoy working through getting assistance from such measuring wheels because you feel free to work with them and your work doesn’t get hampered. The first preference you would like to have is selecting something lightweight and portable which you get in them. You carry them easily from one place to the other effectively without bearing unnecessary burden.
Big difference is there between measuring Wheels and measuring tapes. Usually measuring tapes are exclusively used to measure particular rooms or corners. The process applied are easy and simple in which tapes are laid down on floors after being hooked at particular end and spread to next corner to be measured. Accuracy is maintained by pulling out tape at floor from push button so that they reach up to next corner. Formula applied is not monstrous task and measuring activity gets completed. But such measurements are smaller and maybe of 3" or slightly more width unlike measuring wheels which are applied for larger work. Measuring wheels can easily record 9999m in one attempt as there is no limitation of length of tape here. Your measurer smoothens way by making it easy for you to measure curved, horizontal and vertical surfaces without applying unnecessary attempt. See more description below about measuring wheels:
No doubt, distance measuring wheel is special tape measure unlike traditional tape measure and is also distinct due to its real time-saver abilities by which you manage distribution system. Furthermore, your line and main extensions, underground lines, manhole locations and inventory and road work turns easier by accurate measurement. Format of distance measuring wheel is well developed from aluminum that is capable to bear every climatic condition. Flat rubber tire of such measuring wheels smoothen appropriate rolling without hurdle. Such wheels have spring operated trigger release plumber brakes that lock wheel properly when not used. Measuring equipments are best used in real estate, land measuring, road construction, laying cables and preparing playground lines.
Best quality and tough road measuring wheels equipped with built in stand and brakes have wheels which are designed in both metric and imperial options. They are effectively used in distance measurements. Large and easy to read display make them effective. Users easily see pointer that define start position. Other features include folding, locking handle and easily movable option. They are capable to measure up to 99999.9metres, yards or 99999'11feet or inches etc.
Amazing design, properly adjustable features, accuracy, easily usable features and many other features make measuring wheels best. Usually such measuring wheels are of two unique form including mechanical and digital varieties. It depends upon preference. You have freedom to choose any of them as both are equally fit.
Easy to handle features make measuring wheel perfect. You assemble or disassemble them by merely following certain steps. This way they become excellent and portable too. You feel satisfied by having convenient features because whenever you work in busy working schedules such measuring wheels make your work systematic and you complete the task without hurdle. At times your preferred choice can be of lightweight and portable items which you carry at certain place quicker. Think of such features and enjoy.

To operate this measuring wheel is not that difficult; all you have to do is squeeze the metal trigger to release the brake. Set the metal disc to zero. Place the wheel at the starting point. Squeeze the trigger and begin wheeling off the distance required. If you need to stop, reset the brake by squeezing the trigger. To check the distance covered, read the number of feet on the counter, and inches on the metal disc. Pretty simple once you get use to it. There is nothing typical in measuring wheel and its operation is easy. You simply require doing squeezing and metal triggering to release brakes. You should set metal disc at zero through placing wheel at the starting point by squeezing trigger. Wheeling off process begins at required distance and you get accurate result. In case you would stop at certain point then reset brakes by squeezing trigger and reading number for checking measured distance you cover. It is displayed on counter in inches on metal disc which are easy process. Operating measuring wheel is too easy. You merely squeeze particular metal trigger and release brakes but remember that metal disc is bought to zero before starting measurement. Wheel should be placed at starting point while squeezing trigger and starting wheeling off process for particular distance. You may stop at any point of time if requirement occurs but you must reset brakes through squeezing trigger and if willing to check particular distance covered check it on counter at metal disc which is easier.

About the Author

To have a good home is good, but for Tania Hurtis, a great home is best. To have this, is to have you helped by her creative mind. She can make your usual home into a picture of elegance and style that is worth your budget. So don’t waste time and call her now, and get her advice on what she recommends in terms of tools such as measuring wheels, drills, and so on.

Brand New Tape Measure 60"/150cm Soft Ruler Ships Random Color T-1*16 $1.99

Blue Sewing Tailor Seamstress Cloth Ruler Tape Measure $3.98

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1 MEASURING TAILOR TAPES 1/2" WIDE 60" LONG $1.50

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Tape Measure 60INCH/150CM Length Green Ruler Measuring Tools $0.26

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