6/15/2023 0 Comments Types of rulersIt’s useful when drawing long, straight lines while pattern drafting.If you have a metal yardstick, you can use it successfully with a rotary cutter. You can measure and extend fabric grainlines and even measure hemlines with a yardstick.Because it doesn’t bend, it can measure items above your head in addition to long lengths of fabric.Now, why is a yardstick or meterstick helpful in sewing? 3.Yardstick or MeterstickĪ yardstick, made from wood, metal, or plastic, is one yard, or 36”, in length. If you use the metric system, you may prefer a meterstick, which is 100 cm, or one meter, long. It’s an incredibly useful tool for quilting. I line it up with a fabric edge and use my rotary cutter to measure and cut perfect strips in 1/2″ increments. One other rule that I love is my Martelli strip ruler. These come in different measurements, and some have lip edges for hanging over cutting mats. If you have a rigid acrylic ruler, like my one from O’Lipfa, you can use this as a straightedge for a rotary cutter and also as a way of measuring 30, 45, and 60-degree angles. They usually have 1/4″ or 1/8″ gridlines, allowing for very precise measurements. I’d say 2″x18″, 1″x12″, and 2″x12″ flexible transparent rulers are the most common. You can also easily mark and measure buttonholes, tucks, and pleats with transparent rulers. You can see through transparent rulers to better mark hems and topstitching lines and check grainlines. My favorite type of ruler is an acrylic, transparent ruler. I prefer rulers over tape measures for adjusting patterns and measuring small fabric pieces because hard rulers don’t curl on flat surfaces. Rulers made from plastic, metal, or wood help mark and measure fabric and pattern pieces. Often, I find myself using it to measure more than just fabric! 2. ![]() I also enjoy carrying a soft retractable tape measure in my purse when shopping. Tape measures also come in different widths, but I prefer a 5/8″ width, the typical clothing seam allowance. I use inches when sewing, but my brain works with millimeters when machine embroidering. Other important features to look for include numbers on both sides and both metric and imperial measurements. When selecting a flexible tape measure material, choose fiberglass or another synthetic material that won’t stretch over time. Industrial versions of metal, retractable tape measures are also available up to 100 ft long, which can help measure huge windows and very long fabric yardages. Standard flexible tape measures are 5 ft long, but extra-long 10 ft options are available to assist with bigger projects. Almost anything you want to measure, really. Soft tape measures are flexible and can measure curved items like the human form in addition to yardages of fabric and pattern pieces. ![]() Tape measures vary in length, material, and whether they’re retractable or flexible. The most common and useful measuring tool for sewing is a tape measure. I’ll start this list of measuring tools with the most basic options and then move on from there. ![]() However, as you start to sew different projects, collecting different types of measuring tools will improve your precision and accuracy.Ĭertain tools work best for measuring the body, while others work well for measuring fabric or when drafting or altering patterns. Measuring Tools in Sewing – Final Notesįor basic sewing projects, a tape measure is all you need.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |