hmm. i looked at this interesting-looking item in an antique store out in the middle of kansas and wondered...what is that? at first, i thought maybe something to determine shoe size. wrong.
this is actually a professional device used by tailors. maybe it came from this small town's little dress shop or clothing department store. it looks like a commercial piece.
a skirt marker made sure someone marked the hemline straight all the way around the bottom. the skirt wearer usually stood on a stool or raised area while the seamstress worked around the whole skirt, placing a pin into the fabric at the exact length measurement, or sometimes using chalk to mark the correct length. the tailor made sure the entire hem looked even.
after that, the pins in the fabric or the chalk marks were used to turn up the hem, marking where to fold it, then press the folded hemline before sewing.
could be from the 1940s (the back side of this one is all wood)
the marker is both wood and metal, with a wing nut on the sliding portion and a screw at the base.
it's an awesome, usable, practical item if you sew, are a costumer for plays, or help out during church or school events and need to lend a hand.
it would also look great as decor in your sewing/craft room, would be fun for homeschoolers to figure out how to use it, or to make everyone curious sitting on a shelf, table, or mantel.
size: 14" tall as set now, 6" wide across the tripod-style metal base, and 4" deep at the base; the wood measuring portion is 1-1/4" wide
vintage item, as-is, but in great condition
