- Many sewers have a standard retractable mini measuring tape on hand. They're inexpensive and quite practical. They are not, however, particularly cute. But just a bit of felt and some embroidery floss gives a retractable mini measuring tape a new personality. Trace your retractable measuring tape. If your tape is circular, cut two felt circles just slightly larger than the tape. For a square or rectangular tape, adjust accordingly. You will also need a felt strip the width of the tape measure. Blanket stitch the bottom piece to the side strip. Place the tape measure onto the bottom, lining the tape measure opening up with the opening in the side strip. Blanket stitch the top felt circle into place. You can add any embroidery, decorations or embellishments you like before assembling your mini measuring tape cover.
- Inexpensive measuring tapes from your local fabric or craft store can be woven into flat panels to make bags of all sorts. Lay out neat vertical rows of tape, then weave horizontal tapes into the vertical lines. You may find it helpful to glue, clamp or staple the ends down. Once you have created a flat piece of woven tape measures, secure the ends with E6000 adhesive as needed and sew together by hand to assemble simple bags. You can also opt to assemble the bags with adhesive, clamping until the bag is quite secure. These bags make wonderful gifts or even playful home accents. The woven measuring tapes are quite stiff, so the bags will stand up on their own.
- Recycle new or vintage measuring tapes into attractive jewelry that shares your passion for sewing with the world. Wrap a basic cuff bracelet with a tape measure, after cutting off the metal ends. You may find that a cloth or very soft tape measure works best for this project. A thin layer of batting under the tape measure provides a nicer overall look. Cover the inside of the cuff with ultrasuede or leather, gluing this into place after you wrap the cuff with your measuring tape. Use a fine beading needle and seed beads to bead the edge of the cuff bracelet for an elegant look.
