Cloth Tape Measure – Tried And True Measurement Tool

I’ve always used a cloth tape measure for crafts and sewing, but just recently I learned that these tapes are used for many different measurement purposes.

Go figure!

Cloth Tape Measures Are Favored by Sewing Enthusiasts

When I lay out a pattern on brand new fabric, I use my cloth tape measure to make sure that the pattern is laid out with the fabric grain. I measure to make sure that the pattern follows the grain because I don’t want it to look “off” or not straight when the garment is completed.

After all, if the little sailboats pattern on the fabric looks like they’re sailing downhill or off to the side of the garment, it doesn’t reflect well on my sewing skills!

That cloth tape measure is my tried and true friend, and I’ve had the same tape for decades now. The numbers are large and easy to read, and I can lay that tape down to get accurate measurements at any time during production.

You Can Get Cloth Tape Measures With Inches and/or Metric Figures

When I was new to sewing, cloth tape measures were available only with standard inches and feet measurements. Today, tapes are available with millimeters and centimeters as well, on the reverse of the tape.

This is handy because some skills require use of both standard and metric numbers.

Cloth tape measures are not made of cloth in general, although there are some still made of professional grade polyfiber fabric. Most today are made from Tyvek or fiberglass fabric for superior durability.

Some tapes designed and manufactured in Europe are still available in a sailcloth-type fabric that is covered with polyester or other protective coating.

What Uses Are There for Cloth Tape Measures?

Actually there are many uses for cloth tape measures, besides craft and sewing projects. These tapes are perfect for children to use since they are simply a long strip of fabric with no sharp edges.

Cloth tapes allow you to measure things lying on a table or other flat surface. Tailors and women’s lingerie typically use cloth tapes since they allow measurements to be taken of rounded or unique things.

For example, a cloth tape measure is used to take a woman’s bra size measurement. Men’s clothing fitters use these tapes to measure for tuxedos and suits since cloth tapes can measure waist size, neck size and more.

Taxidermists love cloth tape measures because they can measure their specimens in order to maintain proper size of the animal when working on preservation.

Health clubs and fitness centers will have cloth tape measures on hand in order to keep record of members’ loss of inches from exercise and dieting.

Wallpaper hangers will also use cloth tape measures to get accurate readings. A yardstick can be difficult to maneuver around a corner or curve, and the cloth tapes allow them to get very specific measurements when figuring the width of a sheet of wallpaper needed.

Surveyors use cloth tape measures in extra long lengths of as much as 300 feet or more to determine accurate measurements for buildings, property lines, roadways and more.

Cloth Tape Measures Are Typically About 5 Feet Long

Today’s typical cloth tape measures are available in measurements of about 5 feet long, although you can find some that are as much as 65 inches (5 foot 5 inches).

Longer tape measures are also available for specialty uses like measuring distances, such as a pasture, fence or driveway. These tapes can be as long as 300 feet or more. Others are available in 25 or 100 feet.

Traditional tape measures are basically a long strand that can be rolled up in a small case or simply wrapped up and tied with a rubber band.

Prices for Cloth Tape Measures

The old-fashioned cloth tape measure is still found at sewing and notion stores, and even your local discount store will have some ranging from about $1 to as much as $6.

Specialty tape measures will, of course, run more. A 75 foot tape will run about $15. 300 feet will cost about $30.

You can find cloth tape measures at any home improvement store, discount store or even online. If you’d like to custom-imprint some tapes for a wedding, anniversary or business event, you can find cloth tape measures available from specialty printing retailers, too, at very reasonable prices.

The Gears For Parasailing

Parasailing is one recreational activity that is rapidly gaining popularity. But people who are planning to get into it are wondering what gear they should invest in before going on an actual parasailing event.

Indeed, guts is never enough if you are considering parasailing. Of course, it is necessary, but to begin with, you have to be well-equipped before, during and after the parasailing activity. Parasailing gear is necessary so you don’t compromise your safety.

The gear constitutes the most basic investment in parasailing. Of course, you can still parasail even if you are wearing a tuxedo or even if you are naked. But experts advise that you wear the necessary clothing and other accessories so your skin won’t be harmed.

The climate up in the air can be harsh to your skin because there are parcels of both warm and cold air up there where you would be flying when you parasail. Thus, there are recommended apparel and those could be bought at the nearest parasailing or sport specialty shop to you.

The paraglider is the most important gear to have for parasailing. That is because this gear is the one that would facilitate flying. The paraglider is a parachute that is actually designed for the recreational event. Thus, when a motorboat or a land transport tows the paraglider, the person would fly and the action begins.

Next, the harness and the helmet are the other two most important parasailing gears. The harness attaches your body to the parasailing canopy, thus, when the paraglider flies up to the air, so do you. One, two or three, at the most, people can be accommodated by a single parasailing harness. As they say, the more the merrier.

On the other hand, the helmet is needed protection for your head. As you may see, parasailing can be dangerous because you never know how you might fall in case the towing boat suddenly stops. Parasailing helmets are specially designed and usually have twin shell construction.

Of course, you are also advised to buy a stuff bag that has a parasailing canopy. Thus, you can carry the bag conveniently and put other essential items in it, and readily convert it into a paraglider if you are abruptly going to a parasailing event.

Modern recreational activities of people all around the world are truly evolving. Parasailing is one proof people are preferring extreme activities. When you decide to go try out parasailing, be sure to carry the necessary gear.

Groomsmen Gifts How To Thank Your Groomsmen

Groomsmen play a big role in a wedding by making sure the day goes charmingly. Because of this, grooms pick their closest buddies or family to be a part of the wedding as a groomsman. One of the traditions in all western wedding is to give a gift for his picked groomsmen to show how indebted he was for the job well done. A groomsman can look forward to receiving his gift before the wedding day or the reception. A picture of a satiated bridegroom presenting the gift itself to the likewise satiated groomsman is newsworthy but choosing the perfect groomsmen gifts are possibly more exciting. There are several gifts that can be given which can compliment any groom and his men.

Perhaps a friend has suggested you to try the personalized wedding tokens for the entourage. Grooms like to pick gifts that are practical and useful for their groomsmen. Nothing shows appreciation like something a groom’s groomsmen will enjoy and can find helpful to their everyday life. A gift for your old chap does not have to be anything that they can only wear or use on the big day.Here are the examples to give you a clearer picture: business planners, travelling bag, wine opener, grooming kit and of course coffee mugs.

Among one of the top choices both the bridegroom and the groomsman like is a cufflink. A cufflink is a must-wear for formal wears for male such as tuxedos. If you are the husband-to-be you can engrave your groomsmen’s initials to the accessory. By giving cufflinks as a groomsmen gift, grooms guarantee all of their groomsmen have matching attire down to the cufflinks. The cufflinks give a uniformed yet custom-made look for all of the groomsmen. All your groomsmen can also wear the cufflinks at another time, like evening dates, gala and even for the next wedding.

One more idea for you: engraved money clips to impress your old guy. Even you as a groom in your suit would find it inconvenient to bring money bills. Not only can it be bothersome, it also is aesthetically displeasing, particularly in photos. With the ever favorable money clip, they could bring a hundred dollar bill without ruining their complete outfit. To be more inventive modify the money clips with their nicknames engraved on it. Not only is it usable for any other events but heightens their manliness as well.

If your best friend is always forgetful you can give him a pocket watch. For sure he can overlook his meeting the following Sunday, or his dinner date with his lady love but never your wedding day. A watch is a thing most men own and wear on a daily basis. For this reason that you must really consider them. Pocket watches has been an important possession for the wealthy long time ago, and it still is.

Not considering the gift you select for your groomsmen, the key is to show your appreciation for all they have finished to help make your event out of the ordinary. Giving your old friend a memorable groomsmen gift is among one of the established ways in showing your appreciation in a courteous manner.