mscupid804

Hate to sound like an idiot here, but what do you mean by 1" & 3/4" tape measures? Are you referring to WIDTH?

Belfrybat

Yes -- the width of the metal tape. The 1" doesn't bend quite as easily as the 3/4", which is why I think that one is used.

fayzer

Ok Wonnie, I'm the one with the dumb question. After you cut the metal tape, how do you keep it from retracting back into the holder? Guess I could cut a bunch at one time.

buslady

I think you could use the 1" tape measure with a minor adjustment to the pattern. Just make the sleeve a little wider. Also, check with local builders or ask at the hardware, maybe someone has a broken one they would give you. If you pM me your address, I will send you a piece of mine, I'll never use it all. That would give you time to look!!

mscupid804

OK, thx for that explanation, now what on earth are you ladies wanting to use it for?

Wonnie

Great suggestion TMW!.....and thanks for the research Belfrybat. As soon as I get two cube footstools recovered, the borders put on my Round Row Robin quilt that I just got back, finish marking and quilting the border on my granddaughters quilt and make the center for my new Round Robin I'll make several but I'll check out these sites and get one now just to be ready.

Wonnie

Gosh Fayser, I was waiting to hear how you did it !!! My guess, and this is STRICTLY a guess, would be to leave it extended by maybe 2 or 3" and wrap duck tape around it and secure the tape then to the plastic housing ..............whoa...wait a minute....there's a lock on it I believe....like when you pull it out you lock it in position so you can work with it. Why couldn't you pull out just maybe 3" more than you need, cut off what you need and lock it in position so you could just continue to pull it out the next time by pulling on the 3" you left extended? Ask your husband if I'm in the ballpark in my thinking. You could duck tape the lock maybe so it wouldn't accidentally move.
What do the rest of you think?????

Wonnie

Mscupid 804...adorable avatar!!!! The patterns are called, "Sew Happy !" and "Sew Happy II". They require no snaps, buttons, velcro, magnetic clips, etc. to close. You simply insert the specified length of a 3/4" steel retractable tape measure into the top casings and the purse just "snaps" closed. Ingenious! One of those, "Now, why didn't I think of that?" moments.

Wonnie

Thanks Buslady for the suggestion. Yes, I can see where that would work but the smaller pattern has one purse that is just 5" x 4 1/4" so I think it would cut down on the inside usable area although probably not enough to make a difference. Will keep you in mind and thank you so much for the kind offer.

luvstoquilt

I used the left over slats from my mini-blinds...worked like a charm!!!!