23 June, 2007

Do You Remember...

the Measuregraph? I worked for The Singer Company from 1973-1975. When I was first hired I was the bookkeeper and worked my way up to the title of 'Fabric Manager'. (I still hold that same title today, minus the pay check!) When my primary duties in the store were done I was relegated to the shop floor to do whatever was needed, more often than not there were customers with fabric needs and I was always more than happy to oblige! Back in that day we'd take the bolt to the cutting table and draw the folded edge of the yardage through the Measuregraph until the dial would register the desired amount. A quick push down on the side lever engaged a blade which, in turn, "notched" the fold. From there we took the fabric bolt out and cut from the notch, with shears, across the width. This was customary fabric measuring in most places back then; before rotary cutters and certainly before tearing. But, keep in mind, this was the hay-day of polyester double knits; tearing was our of the realm of possibility. I do remember the Measuregraph representative coming by the store every so often to check the calibration and I can't recall any customers ever being mistrustful of this system and requesting we measure alternatively. It's just the way it was.

Do you remember?
Life is Good!

14 comments:

dot said...

Oh yes I remember these well. I wish they still had them. I guess they were not accurate but then again how accurate is the human? Maybe I an weird but I liked these little machines.

Sue Seibert said...

Yup, I remember! Hasn't technology changed! Well, we're back home and getting settled in for a while. Hope all is well at your patch!

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

omigosh! Hadn't thought of these in DECADES. Of course I remember them. Couldn't have come up with the name if asked, though.4

His Office, My Studio said...

Yes, I do remember! I did trust the machine. I loved watching the dial when I would buy 5 - 6 yards of a fabric.

Quilting Memories said...

Life is funny!!!!!! When we were in Genesse Depot, Wisconsin last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to a quilt store, and that is the way they measured their fabric.I was astounded as it has been a VEEEERY long time since I have seen one of those, and had no idea anyone still used them. When I worked(my first job),in Va. I was 16 years old and worked in the fabric dept. of a large dept. store and we used one. I think they are great. I have never had any reason to question their reliability. This did bring back some OLD memories!

CONNIE W said...

I do remember them and one of the local shops that had fabric here (long gone) used them to measure.

atet said...

Oddly -- I remember them too. I'm not sure where I saw them, but I do remember them. Thanks for the fun memory!

Shelina said...

Oh yeah, I have seen that before. I didn't recognize it when I saw it, but I remember by your explanation that I've seen one in action.
Hmm, it does seem like we went backwards in making people measure manually. You would think they would have perfected the measurements on that thing.

Carole said...

Wow, thanks for a glimpse in the history of fabric measurement. I don't recall. I'll have to ask my mom if she recalls. Keep well!

Unknown said...

That is completely new to me. Never saw something like that. Thanks for sharing and explaining! I love the flower fabric you bought and the fussy cut blocks you made out of it, or aren´t they fussy cut?! I am very curious as well to see the rest of your BOM. Take care.

meggie said...

How interesting! I have never seen one or heard of them. Maybe they didnt have them in NZ & Oz.
It might be good to have about now. Some shops seem to cut so crookedly.

Libby said...

We were just talking about those last week - a nostalgia item for sure.

MARCIE said...

I quit buying fabric for several years and when I "came back" and started making quilts, those gizmos were gone. I never thought much about it. And here you even have a picture! Wonder why they discontinued them?

Beemoosie said...

OH what a neat job you had!!! I can't say that I have ever seen one of those before!!
I told you I was a southern wannabe!!! :) Although I have definitely HEARD of grits, I don't think I've ever seen them in person!!!