Measure in Style: A Fabric-Covered Measuring Tape

Greetings, friends! It’s Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs, and I’m delighted to be back on the Therm O Web blog with a quick and creative project that combines practicality with a touch of handmade charm. If you love finding clever ways to use favorite fabric scraps, this Fabric-Covered Measuring Tape tutorial is just the thing. In just an afternoon, you can transform an ordinary 60-inch retractable measuring tape into a colorful sewing accessory that's as pretty as it is useful.

As the days grow shorter and the weather turns cooler, I find myself reaching for cozy projects that can be completed in a single sitting. This fabric-covered measuring tape is the perfect fall afternoon make. Whether you choose a favorite print for the entire cover or mix coordinating fabrics for a custom look, the possibilities are endless. It's a wonderful way to showcase those treasured scraps you've been saving while creating something you'll reach for again and again in your sewing room, stitching bag, or craft basket.

What I love most about this project is that it makes a thoughtful handmade gift. Stitch one up for a quilting friend, tuck it into a sewing-themed gift basket, or make several for holiday gift giving. Because the fabric pieces are small and the construction is simple, it's an inexpensive project that delivers plenty of handmade charm. Add your favorite colors, seasonal prints, or treasured fabric collections to create a one-of-a-kind accessory that's sure to bring a smile every time it's used.

We'll be using a selection of helpful Therm O Web products to make the process easy and enjoyable, resulting in a polished finish that looks professionally made. With just a handful of supplies, a little hand stitching, and some creative fabric choices, you'll have a beautiful custom-covered measuring tape before you know it.

So gather your favorite fabric scraps, pull out that standard retractable measuring tape, and let's turn an everyday tool into something special. Grab your Therm O Web supplies, choose your fabrics, and follow along as we create a stylish sewing-room accessory that's perfect for keeping or gifting this season. Let's get started!

What you need:

• Bliss 100% Cotton Batting

• • 1 — 5” W x 2 ½” H

• HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing

• • 1 — 6 ½” W x 1” H

• PeelnStick Basting Tape Double-Sided Adhesive ⅛”
• HeatnBond Lightweight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing

• • 1 - 7” W x 4 ½” H

• SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray
• SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray
• Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets

• • 1 Sheet

• 2” Round Retractable Tape Measure (standard size)
• Cotton Fabric — Scraps/Small Pieces (Model uses Bluebells & Buttercups by Elea Lutz for Poppie Cotton)

• • 2 — 3 ½” squares (top and button of tape measure)
  • 1 — 7” W x 1” H (perimeter of tape measure)

• Comic Book Board or Lightweight Cardboard (cereal box)
• Strong Sewing Thread for Lacing (Nymo Thread or unwaxed dental floss works well)
• Invisible Thread (clear sewing thread)
• DMC Embroidery Hand Sewing Needle Size 5
• Oliso Iron
• Basic Tools (cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter, small sharp scissors, pencil)

How to Make One Fabric-Covered Retractable Tape Measure

Finished Size: 2” Diameter

1. Download and print the Measure in Style: A Fabric Covered Retractable Measuring Tape PDF.

Fabric-Covered Retractable Measuring Tape – A Project for the Therm O Web Blog

• • Print at actual size – do NOT “fit to page” or “shrink to fit.”
  • Print on regular printer paper.

2. Prepare cotton fabric(s). Apply HeatnBond Lightweight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing to the back of selected cotton fabric(s). This will reinforce the fabric and help with assembly.

• • Pre-heat iron to a high setting, no steam.
  • Place the rough side of the fusible interfacing against the wrong side of the cotton fabric.
  • Cover with a lightweight, dry pressing cloth.
  • Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Lift and repeat, slightly overlapping, until fully bonded.
  • Allow fabric(s) to cool completely.

3. Cut materials. Using SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray and the provided templates, cut all materials as directed.

For quick, easy, and accurate cutting, use SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray to temporarily adhere the paper templates to your fabric(s), Bliss Batting, lightweight cardboard, and VersaCraft Stabilizer.

• • Protect your workspace. A HeatnBond Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheetis perfect for protecting your work surface from overspray and keeps cleanup quick and easy.
  • Loosely cut apart paper templates.
  • Shake the SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray well.  Hold can upright, 12 inches from the back of the paper templates.
  • Press the spray pad button and apply a light coating of adhesive using a sweeping motion.
  • Let dry for 1 minute.
  • Place the paper templates onto the selected materials, repositioning as needed. If additional tack is required, repeat the spraying process.
  • Cut out each piece, following the black cutting line on the template.
  • Before storing the can, hold upside down and press the spray pad button for a short burst to clear the nozzle.
  • Remove paper templates.

NOTE: Be sure to remove the center circle on one piece of batting and one piece of lightweight cardboard as shown on the templates. This will allow the retractable button on the top of the tape measurer to work properly.

4. Apply Bliss Batting circles to lightweight cardboard. Using SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray, attach the coordinating circle of quilt batting to each circle of lightweight cardboard.

• • Protect your workspace. A HeatnBond Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheet is perfect for protecting your work surface from overspray and keeps cleanup quick and easy.
  • Shake the can of SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray well before use.
  • Hold the can upright, 12 inches from batting circles. Press the nozzle and apply adhesive using a sweeping motion to lightly cover the batting circles.
  • Center and press the cotton batting on lightweight cardboard while still tacky. Reposition as needed.

5. Cover the lightweight cardboard circles with fabric cotton circles.

• • Thread your needle with one strand of strong sewing thread – use a long length to make it all the way around the piece. Knot the end of your working thread. Use a sharp, size 5 embroidery needle. Anchor the working thread knot in the seam allowance on the right side of the cotton fabric about a ¼” from the edge. Use a large Running (Gathering) Stitch around the entire perimeter. Stop once you reach the knot and have your working thread on the right side of your cotton fabric (same side as the knot).
  • Center one circle of lightweight cardboard with the quilt batting against the wrong side of your fabric circle. Fold the seam allowance over the lightweight cardboard.
  • Keeping the fabric circle centered over the batting and cardboard circle, pull the working thread and the knot together to gather the linen around the cardboard circle. Pull both threads at the same time. Once the cotton fabric is tightly centered over the batting/cardboard, knot and tie off. TIP: To make the cotton fabric have fewer puckers and lie smooth across the batting/cardboard, lace the linen seam allowance that covers the cardboard until you are pleased with the look of the front. Lace back and forth in a star pattern, working your way around the seam allowance.
  • Repeat previous steps, using the second piece of cotton fabric and the remaining lightweight cardboard circle with batting.
  • Press to flatten, if needed.

6. Stabilize the cotton fabric for the perimeter of the tape measure. Apply the 6 ⅛” x ½” piece of HeatnBond VersaCraft Stabilizer to the back of the 6 ½” x ⅞” piece of cotton fabric for the perimeter of the tape measure.

• • Preheat iron to cotton/high heat setting. No steam.
  • Center the stabilizer on the wrong side of fabric, fusible side down. Cover with a light, dry press cloth. Press and hold iron in place with medium pressure for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area and pressing, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
  • Allow fused pieces to cool completely. If more ironing is needed, press an additional 5 seconds from the front of the project. Allow pieces to cool completely.

7. Secure cotton fabric raw edges to the back. Use PeelnStick Basting Tape Double-Sided Adhesive to adhere the raw edges to the back of the perimeter cotton fabric.

• • Finger press the seam allowance of the perimeter cotton fabric to the backside (use the stabilizer as a guide).
  • Apply PeelnStick Basting Tape along the long lengths on the back of the perimeter cotton fabric, aligning with the edge of the stabilizer, firmly pressing tape to stabilizer.
  • Remove paper liner.
  • Press fabric in place.
  • Repeat for the short ends.The unit should measure approximately 6 ⅛” x ½” with the raw edges of the fabric adhered to the back of the stabilized unit.

8. Apply prepared cotton fabric units to the round retractable tape measure. Using SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray, adhere the prepared fabric strip and circle units to the round retractable tape measure. This step holds everything in place for hand stitching.

• • Protect your workspace. A HeatnBond Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheet is perfect for protecting your work surface from overspray and keeps cleanup quick and easy.
  • Shake the can of SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray well before use.
  • Hold the can upright, 12 inches from the backs of the prepared fabric units. Press the nozzle and apply adhesive using a sweeping motion to lightly cover the wrong side of each unit.
  • Starting with the prepared fabric strip, center and adhere the wrong side to the tape measure. The ends will be on either side of the measuring tape pull.
  • Next, center and press the prepared fabric circle units over the measuring tape top and bottom, making sure to place the prepared fabric with the removed center over the side with the retractable push button. Reposition as needed.

9. Hand stitch fabric units. Using invisible thread, a size 5 hand embroidery needle, and small whip stitches, attach the perimeter fabric unit to both the top and the bottom fabric units of the tape measure. Pull the hand stitches tight as you work your way around the top and the bottom.

I hope this Measure in Style: A Fabric-Covered Measuring Tape tutorial has inspired you to look at everyday sewing tools in a whole new way. Sometimes the smallest projects bring the biggest smiles, and this simple fabric makeover is a wonderful way to add color, personality, and handmade charm to something you use every day. With a few fabric scraps, a little hand stitching, and the help of Therm O Web products, an ordinary retractable measuring tape can become a beautiful accessory that's both practical and unique.

One of my favorite things about this project is how perfectly it lends itself to using those treasured fabric scraps we all save for "something special." Whether you choose a single favorite print for a coordinated look or mix and match complementary fabrics for extra personality, each measuring tape becomes a reflection of your own creative style. Seasonal fabrics, cheerful florals, vintage-inspired prints, or holiday favorites all work beautifully, making every finished piece truly one of a kind.

This project makes a thoughtful handmade gift for the sewists, quilters, embroiderers, and crafters in your life. Tuck one into a project bag, include it in a sewing-themed gift basket, or make several for holiday gift giving. Quick to create and inexpensive to make, these fabric-covered measuring tapes are perfect when you're looking for a relaxing project with a useful and beautiful result.

Thank you so much for joining me today on the Therm O Web blog. I hope you've enjoyed learning how easy it is to transform a standard retractable measuring tape into a stylish sewing-room accessory. For more sewing inspiration, patterns, and creative project ideas, be sure to visit my website and follow along on Instagram. If you create your own fabric-covered measuring tape, I'd love to see it! Be sure to tag me and Therm O Web so we can admire your beautiful fabric choices and creative handiwork. Until next time, wishing you inspiration, creativity, and plenty of happy stitching!

Written by Belinda Karls-Nace