There's a lot they don't tell you in Jr. High

[sodakgrrl]

For example, my Home Economics teacher never told me that one day a 16' Stanley Powerlock tape measure and a chalk line would both be important tools....in my sewing kit!

[Brute1100]

I use my tape measure for all my sewing needs... There had been a few times I wanted a flex tape, but nothing bending the tape measure (the correct way) around it and getting close enough...

Now chalk line, hadn't thought about that... What do you attach to to pull the line taught???

[sodakgrrl]

Now chalk line, hadn't thought about that... What do you attach to to pull the line taught???

Boothill.

No, just kidding. (Well, kinda. ) If I'm by myself, I use masking tape to stick the end widget (That's a technical term!) to the floor or table. Made some tarp skins with it last night--worked great!

[oldgringo]

Boothill.

Wow. No one saw that one coming.

[JakobW]

Going into high school this year I was actually excited to take home economics (mostly because of the creations I see here), but they don't offer it in the school I'm at. I get 4 years to learn to cook, but no sewing.

[Brute1100]

Hey cooking is important... I can cook as well... My mom raised my brother and I so we wouldn't need a woman to survive... We learned to sew, cook, dishes, iron, and everything thing else involved in the house... My dad was a fabricator, so we learned welding, carpentry, plumbing, painting, mechanics, the rest of it all... So even though emotionally they put us through hello, as far as skills we were set... If you learn to cook and cook well, and learn how foods should taste and how the ingredients interact, and all that stuff you will find life is much better... Nothing says welcome home honey like an awesome meal...

[grannypat]

Going into high school this year I was actually excited to take home economics (mostly because of the creations I see here), but they don't offer it in the school I'm at. I get 4 years to learn to cook, but no sewing.

Maybe a fabric store would have private lessons or a relative could teach you.

[Boothill]

Boothill.

yep......manual labor, that's all i'm good for.....she won't let me do none of the cypherin'

been thinking about legally changing my name to "Hey You, Come Over Here And Hold This"

boot

[MAD777]

Not only do I use a tape and chalk lines when cutting fabric, I also use a large carpenter's square to get the angles right!
Someone would think I was making quilts and hammocks out of wood!

[oldgringo]

Try a drywall square.