Thursday, August 19, 2010

Vintage sewing tool: skirt marker


Vintage skirt marker

When we're at home in Indiana, I have no one to mark hems for me, save Douglas (who's not the most experienced). So I was quite chuffed when my mom brought this home for me from a garage sale.

Based on the woman's dress, I would guess it to be from the late 1930s or early 1940s. The marker works by puffing chalk dust onto you skirt at a uniform height from the floor. This one is missing its base but I think it will work fine without it (or I can scavenge up a makeshift one). I can't wait to try it out!

5 comments:

  1. Gosh, when I was learning about sewing in home-ec class (grammar school, I guess), we were taught how to use one of those - this was in the '60s.

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  2. What a brilliant find! I love that you can do it yourself, and chalk hems are so accurate -- and with the original box? Quite a treasure!

    I just have to say, I was thrilled to see someone used the word "chuffed." I think it's high time it is adopted into American usage!

    Blessings,
    Shannon

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  3. Grand! I wish these were still being produced. Do let us all know if this little treasure proves to be useful.

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  4. Awesome! and it's cute besides!
    My sewing teacher told us to mark a broom handle or wooden dowel-and then even you're hubby can manage, or You can drill a hole to hold a piece of chalk if you usually use the same heights..... :)
    First time here! You have a beautiful blog! and i've never heard the word 'chuffed' used that way before.... :)

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