Tape Measure Dividing

Using a Tape Measure to Divide Maris

Some folks have been piping up and confessing that they are using a modified method to do mari divides versus the traditional paper strip - namely grabbing a tape measure and calculator. Rather than using a strip and folding, you latch onto some narrow inexpensive tape measures, use them in place of the strip, and along with the actual measurements from the tape use a calculator to determine where to place your pins (rather than placing them at folds in a paper strip). The discussion group gathered their thoughts on how it goes: (feel free to email to add yours too...)

Nicole B. started things off: Since I've already come out of the closet about using a tape measure to mark maris, I was wondering if some other "cheaters" would share some of their tips. I've put together a few of my thoughts on the subject, as well:

1. I find that using the tape measures that have a plastic tab on the end, with the actual measuring tape starting about an inch from the end, work
better for me. The ones that go all the way to the end with a metal tab seem to throw my measurements off a bit.

2. I actually pin the tape measure around the obi, beneath the marking pins, and then use a calculator to figure where to move the marking pins. If you
have a calculator that will keep adding every time you hit the "=" you don't even have to worry about adding all those little fractions in your head!

3. Three year old boys can cut a retractable tape measure into about 50 pieces before being caught by a parent. I keep several on hand, just in case.

From Paige: As you said, those metal end tabs really interfere, so I start measuring at the 2 cm mark. You always have to adjust for the extra 2 cm, but that's decidedly less trouble for me than that (one!) paper strip I tried. The tricky part for me, mainly because mine is the wide-ish measuring tape, is keeping the tape from slipping and buckling because of the roundness of the ball. I have solved this by lining it up between the two pins (once I have my poles done) and holding it with thumb and middle finger at each pin.

From Carolyn: Have to put my 2cents in about the tapes. JoAnns had a bunch in the sale bin for 59 cents. I took the metal tab off and cut it in half, the long way and cut it off at 20 inches. (by the way I bought three of them because I knew I was going to play with them to see what I could do).

From Sarah: Thought I would join in, I use paper measures for the nice easy divisions and then tape measures for odd numbers and things like 6 and 10.

From Karenleah: The gal who split her wide tapes, also mentioned cutting them off at 20 inches, didn't she? It would seem to me that the clunky plastic tape housing would be the main thing causing alot of frustration, and I can't wait to try her idea! (Now, if I can just find a place to keep a calculater so my kid's won't swipe it....)!

From Doris: I think I have mentioned this before--I found a ruler with inches on one edge and centimeters on the other edge--copied it on the copier and put contact paper on the back--then cut it in half--so have a narrow paper that is flexble and durable for both the inches and centimeters. I
also put contact paper on the back of graph paper and find it works well--have often wound the balls to match the markings on the graph paper--leave an end of the graph paper and write the divisions, pattern etc. Of course I copied the ruler many times so have plenty of spares. These could be used in Temari classes also.

From Louise: I have to admit I too use a tape measure. The "Dollar Stores" here in Canada and in the US (not sure if they are everywhere) has them for $1.00 so I got some but, I also use a paper. I measure first with the paper and then re-check with the tape. (I am getting better with using just the
paper now.) For me that is the easiest but I also found that the more you do the better you get at "eye-ing" it. So I think I maybe over doing it but it works. And since 'learning' from you, it doesn't hurt to do things twice.....