Antique & Vintage Sewing Accessories
Sewing Tapes / Tape Measures
Most of the sewing related antiques you will find on this and our other
Sewing Acc
essories pages
originated from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, and were part two large and diverse antique sewing
collections we are handling on consignment. This is the first time most
of these pieces have been out on the market in many years.
The tape measures from these collections include those made from celluloid, porcelain, fabric, plastic, and assorted metals. A large selection of the tape measures below are combination tapes and pin cushions, and many are figural dogs. Note the group shot of them above to get a sense of the many different variations that can be found---big / small and in-between. Most are in excellent like-new condition even though most date from around WWII and the years immediately following.
2
Figural "Ship" Tape Measures
These two vintage tape measures came out of a longtime sewing collection.
The one on the left is made of china or porcelain or a ceramic material of some
sort, and is nicely painted in blue, green gold and red. These tape
measures are not typically found made from this fragile material but are much
more often found made from metal or from the early plastic referred to as
celluloid. It is marked "Germany" on the bottom and is in remarkable
condition with no chips or flakes. The cloth tape pulls out and retracts
as it should and is marked off in both inches and metric.
The figural tape measure of the ship on the right is made of celluloid in subdued shades of browns and green. It is in really nice condition and it's cloth tape also extends and retracts as it should. It too is marked off in inch and metric increments. Click for Pic
Left..........Very Good - Excellent .............$95.00
Right.........Very Good - Excellent.........$35.00
VM-tape-1
2
Round Celluloid Tape Measures
These two tape measures are unmarked but probably date from the 1950's.
They are marked off in inches. They pull out and retract as they should
and will make great users!
Very Good ........ $10.00 pair
VM-tape-2
Figural
Baby Shoe Pincushion / Tape
This little pin cushion measures less than 3 " long and only about 2 " tall. It is
a tape measure as well as a pincushion. The tape is marked Japan.
The shoe is made
of a soft pliable material that may be plastic. It is
in great condition. The tape is in like new condition as well. I always
wonder why folks were able to make plastic back then that can last 50-100 years,
and now it is usually good for 3 years or less before it starts failing.
Cute!
Very Good ........ $12.00
EJ-S-1750
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion measures 3 " tall. It is made of plaid material
and is marked Japan. It is in great condition. The tape (tail) is in like new
condition as well. Very cute!
Click
for Pic
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1752
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion / tape measure combination measures 3" tall. It is also made of plaid
material and is marked Japan. It is in great condition. The tape (tail) is
in like new condition as well.
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1754
Figural
Bear Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion / tape measure is a tad under 3" tall. It is made of
furry fleece-like material and the tape (tail) is marked Japan. It is in great
condition. The tape is in like new condition as well. I think it's a
bear---it could be a dog I guess.......Cute!
Very Good ........ $15.00
EJ-S-1755
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion / tape measure is a tad under 4 " tall. It is made of
ribbed fleece like material and both the body and the tape are marked Japan. It is the tongue on this one,
not the tail, that is the tape. I removed the pins (after taking the
picture) and he looks a whole lot cuter!
Good ........ $15.00
EJ-S-1756
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion / tape measure is a tad under 2 1/2 " tall. It is
made of plaid material and the head is shaped like a pillow! It is in
great condition. The tape is in like new condition as well.
Very Good ........ $15.00
EJ-S-1757
Figural
Donkey Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion / tape measure combo is a tad under 3 " tall. It is made of
ribbed fleece like material and the tape (tail) is marked Japan. Is it a donkey, or
a
??? It is in great condition. The tape is in like new condition as
well. Cute.
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1759
Figural
Giraffe Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion and tape measure is a tad under 3 " tall. It is made of
plaid material and is marked Japan. It is in OK condition. The tape OK,
but a bit slow. Cute and different!
Very Good ........ $15.00
EJ-S-1761
Figural
Elephant Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion measures about 3 " tall. It has a sticker on
the bottom marked Japan and the tape is marked Japan. It is in OK
condition with some worn spots in the fabric. The tape is good.
Not one that is typically found!
Good ........ $25.00
EJ-S-1783
Figural
Performing Circus Elephant Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion and tape measure is about 4 1/2 " tall. It has a
paper tag with instructions to pull his tail, as well as a patent #.
Cute, but he rolls to his side and does not want to stand up. Just like
the real ones!
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1784
Figural
Elephant Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion / tape combination measures a tad under 3 " tall. It is made of
plaid material and the tape is marked w/ a Japan logo. It is in great
condition. The tape is in like new condition.
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1762
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion and tape measures a tad under 4 1/2 " tall. It is
made of plaid material and the tape is marked Japan. It is in great
condition. The tape is in like new condition as well. Very sweet!
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1763
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This tape measure / pin cushion measures a tad over 4 1/2 " tall and is similar to but
different from the one above. It is made of plaid material and the tape is
marked Japan. It is in great condition. The tape is in like new condition
as well. Another really cute one!
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1765
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This small pin cushion and tape measure is a tad over 4 " tall. It is made of
pink plaid material and the tape is marked Japan. It is in great
condition. The tape is in like new condition as well. Different
because of the color!
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1766
Figural
Poodle Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion and tape measure is a tad under 6 " tall. It is made of
ceramic material and the tongue / tape is marked Japan. It is in great
condition. The base is marked TOY Japan. The tape is in like new condition
as well. Cute.
Very Good ........ $20.00
EJ-S-1764
Figural
Pooch Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion and tape measures a tad under 3 " tall. It is made of plaid
material and the tape as well as the tag are marked Japan. It is in
great condition. The tape is in like new condition as well.
Very Good ........ $15.00
EJ-S-1767
Figural
& Patented Doggy Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion and tape combo measures a tad under 5 " tall. It is made of
ribbed material and the tongue / tape is marked Japan. It is in
great condition. There is a tag around its neck that has operating instructions
and a patent # of 410598, but that patent has nothing to do with a pin cushion.
Perhaps it is a Japanese number or it is just an advertising gimmick. The tape
is in like new condition as well. I removed the pins that were sticking in
him and he looks a whole lot better.
Very Good ........ $15.00
EJ-S-1768
Figural
Cat Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion / tape measure combo measures a tad under 4 " tall. It is made of black
ribbed material and the tongue / tape is marked Japan. It is in
great condition. This one also has a tag around its neck that has operating
instructions and a patent # of 410598, but that # has nothing to do with a pin
cushion. Perhaps it is a Japanese # or it is just an advertising gimmick.
The tape is in like new condition as well. Cute.
Click
for Pic
Very Good ........ $25.00
EJ-S-1770
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion and tape combo measures a tad under 4 " tall. It is made of black
material and the tongue / tape is marked Japan. It is in good condition
with a couple of small wear spots. The tape is in like new condition as
well. Another very cut one!
Very Good ........ $25.00
EJ-S-1785
Figural
Dog Pincushion / Tape
This small tape measure and pin cushion measures a tad over 4 " tall. It is made of
orangey-tan plaid material and the tape is marked Japan. It is in great condition. The tape is in like new condition as well. Cute.
Very Good ........ $15.00
EJ-S-1769
Figural
Jointed Poodle Pincushion / Tape
This pin cushion combination tape measure is a tad over 7 " tall. It is made of furry
fabric material. His tongue was the tape, but he seems to have eaten
it. It is in great condition otherwise, and the jointed feature is
very unusual.
Very Good ........ $25.00
EJ-S-1771