Following on from my previous post (see below), here is how to construct the tape measure. I am photographing and making notes as I go. At the end of this post I will add an instruction summary but you should probably read through the post to see what I have done first.
You will need to have printed the required images onto an A4 piece of smooth white card.
Read through these instructions, THEN cut out the images as shown (apologies for the flash reflection):NOTE that there is an extra tab at the end of the tape - this will stop the tape pulling out of the finished measure. Cut it about 1 cm LONGER than I have here.
You might notice that I have cut off the bit that pictures the end of the tape. We will make our own end. Discard this - it is only pictured to show that I have removed it.
I have also traced a template for the black bit at the start of the tape (pictured to the right of the DAD circle here) - I will cut a piece of black card the same size but with a flap at the end and use an eyelet to attach it to the tape.
Use a black marker such as a Tombow or Distress Marker to edge the pieces (*tip - hold the marker to come up behind the piece so that if you slip it marks the back of the piece, not the front).
Cut a strip of black card such as Bazzill or American Express that is 12 inches long x 1 3/8" wide. (NOTE - if you have changed the width of your tape measure strip you will need to change the width of this black strip to match.)
Use a scoreboard to score a line 3/8" in from each of the long edges and fold back from the textured side of the card. (Mountain folds, as shown here.)
Adhere a strip of double-sided tape to the first 6 inches of each of the side flaps on the textured side. You can add more tape as needed later.
Score the black strip just over 2" from the short end (this is the length of the base of your tape measure panel). Cut notches as shown.The next bit depends how OCD you are. You can score in all the bumps that would be around a real measure, or just have straight parts and smooth curves around the measure. Yes - of course I scored in all the bumps and ridges!
You need to cut regular notches from the taped side flaps on the black strip to make tabs that you will adhere behind the printed panels. I found it easier to cut as I went along, fitting the size I wanted, and to score grooves where I wanted. A bamboo skewer was also helpful for shaping those grooves.I used a bone scorer to encourage the card to curve where needed. You drag the scorer along the strip as you would with curling ribbon. The strip will curl towards the side you drag the scorer against.
I am still trying to work out the best order of assembly. For my first one I worked with both sides, adhering the base of the measure to the two panels first, then the curved part. Once I reached the little notchy thing at the top of the measure I made an 'L' shape to tuck into the measure that would catch the end of the tape and catch it before it pulls out. The flap is 1 1/4" long.I adhered the separate name circle to cover the reversed name.
It was awkward assembling the last part of the measure - I used a bamboo skewer and reached inside to press the tabs against the sides of the measure to adhere.
For my second one - pictured - I tried adhering one panel completely first. In the image below you can see the turned up flap at the end of the tape that will prevent it being pulled out.
I plan to adhere the lower left corner as pictured last, and will insert a bamboo skewer in at the corner fold to press the tabs into place. Later note - this procedure worked well - much easier than my first attempt.
Use a bone scorer to curl the tape so it coils just enough to fit in the case.
Adhere the black bit to the start of the tape as shown here and use a 'Silent Setter' or an 'anywhere hole punch' and Cropodile, or other eyelet setting equipment to set an eyelet in place.
I made a box to fit the measure from black card and silver foil board (lid). make the lid a bit larger than the box. I used an embossing folder (Sizzix Diamond Plate) for the pattern on the lid. I also lined the box with a piece of embossed and inked card (Sizzix 25 Days of Christmas) and a die cut greeting. I put my personal message inside the lid.
