Cloth Tape Measure – Will It Ever Be Displaced?
Where is a cloth tape measure used? This is the most common and traditional tool for measurement. Most commonly seen in dress and tailor’s shops, the cloth tape measure is the prime measuring tool of sewers and seamstresses. Although most professions use tape measures, the cloth version is less used in construction and building sites.
A tape measure is nothing but a flexible type of ruler or meter stick. It consists of long ribbon of cloth, plastic, fiber glass or metal strips. Present in the whole length are linear measurements – in inches and in centimeters. It is very flexible because it can be rolled or folded so it can be carried easily – even in pockets, purses or tool kits. Added to its flexibility is the fact that it allows measurements around curves or corners. This is the main reason this is used by tailors and seamstresses; they can take measurement of the contours of the human body.
The cloth tape measure is commonly called tailor’s tape measure. The term is derived from the prime users of this type of measuring tool. Most cloth tape measure is made from high quality PVC coated polyester fiber tapeline. The standard color is white on both sides although you can find colored tape measures. It is 59 ½ inches long with a width of ¾ inches. Both ends have metal clips. On one side of the tape measure is a scale in inches and on the other side is a scale in centimeters. High quality cloth tape measures have impeccable imprints. But the lower end and cheap variations are made of low grade materials and imprints are easily erased. Originally, tape measures used for sewing were made of cloth or plastic. Today, they can be made from fiberglass.
The cloth tape measure takes another form when used in carpentry or construction. The tape measure for this purpose is made of stiff, curved metallic ribbon. It has a floating tang on the end which is the aid for measuring. Hook the tang on the starting point, extend the tape measure to the end of the distance. After the measurement is taken, the tape measure can retract into a coil for storage.
Despite the more modern types of measuring tool, the cloth tape measure could be hardly eliminated – at least to the sewers. Can you imagine a tape measure of stiff material being used in taking the measurements of the body?
Today, there are more sophisticated styles of either of these tape measures. The casing can be designed with different motifs, making the cloth tape measure a nice gift item. The colors of the tape measure are more varied.
For highly professional usage, there arose innovations in the tape measure type. Today, you can find tape measures that are incorporated with laser and ultrasonic technologies. These are used in construction and building sites. These are more accurate especially the modern digital tape measures.
Although it can be said that cloth tape measure is already outdated and out-moded by digital versions, the utility of cloth tape measure will still be useful for sewing purposes. What can be expected are more creative designs of cloth or fabric tape measures, for aesthetic appeal.