Last night I was pressing a 15mm (5/8″)* fold into a piece of fabric. At least, I think the fold was 15mm (5/8″) deep – I was eyeballing it. Because, you know, dragging my behind across the room for a tape measure was not an option.
Hmmm, I thought. How can I be so sure of my 15mm? And could others be sure, too?
Time for a little game! Below are four pieces of fabric. One of them is pressed over by 15mm. The other three are pressed over by incrementally different widths. Which of the four options do you think is the 15mm (5/8″) fold? Leave a comment and see if you can eyeball 15mm! Now, shush with your protestations that computer screens distort pictures. It’s just a bit of fun, innit? I’ll let you know if you were right, all in the fullness of time.
Rock and roll, my friends, rock and roll.
*For beginner Sewists, 15mm (5/8″) is a fairly standard seam allowance or commonly used measurement in dressmaking. You’ll often find a groove on the throat plate of a sewing machine that is 15mm (5/8″) away from the needle.
STOP PRESS! Another Australian Pattern Pyramid has gone live over at Tingled Fangers!
3? I do this all the time (and then pout when things don’t work out).
Is it 2?
It looks to me the the 15 mm rule and the 5/8 inch rule have the same problems….heheheh. I guess is number 3
I’m torn between 2 and 4, but thinking maybe 4?
I say 2?
Hmm, I think number 2. I often guess-timate that kind measurement too.
No idea! I don’t do garments enough to eyeball it, but if you wanted a quarter inch quilting seam- that I can do!
I think it is 3, because 15 mm is a bit larger than half an inch.
My guess is #2
3? But I don’t think in metric so I’m hoping 15mm = 5/8″?
Ah yes, apologies! I shall update.
Aw, that was sweet of you to update. I was thinking metric was part of the game. 🙂
hmmm, I’m going to guess #2
hehe I usually eyeball it too! especially when I sew with knits – who cares? they stretch! I’m much more careful when I’m sewing with non-stretch.
I vote for number 1. numbers 2 and 4 look the same to me….
That’s because there’s only 2mm of difference between them!
I’m breaking out in a sweat – I am totally incapable of eyeballing a measurement, I would have to use a tape measure (probably twice!). I can’t even guess! Off for a lie down 😉
Apologies!
I say 2!!!
#2!
I would say number 1 🙂
I have no idea, but if it’s a hem or something I need to do, rather than drag out a tape measure mark off and pin in place, I’ll just baste myself a row of stitches to serve as a guide. A lot faster!
I do that too, works like a charm!
That’s such a good idea! I will try that next time
3 !
Janice.
I’m going with 3, only because I’m often surprised at how wide it actually is!
I say 1
I’m going for 4, or may be 2…no 4. Definitely 4. Possibly.
I’m going with number 1
Me too (1)
I sew more vintage patterns that use 1/2″ so it took me a second to realize 15mm was 5/8″. lol I’m going to vote #4.
Number4
I think it’s 1.
I’m going with 4.
I was totally going with #2, but then I looked closer and panicked and now I’m totally going with #3! I’ll find it totally hilarious if it’s neither of course ;o) By the way…is that the fabric you took off me at the Walthamstow swap that you also made pyjama bottoms with? If so…it’s never ending ;o)
Yes, it is!
Number 1. No idea why I think that.
There’s no way to tell scale in the picture except for the pins and those could be smaller or bigger, but to my eye #2 looks closest to 5/8″. I definitely do this myself when sewing – eyeball hems and seams and I’m usually pretty on. I can see a 1/4″ seam for quilting fairly well too. Once you’ve done it for a while you get a feel for it, although obviously I still use my seam guide or measure when it’s super-key to get right, with multiple match points etc.
No, there is no way to tell the scale is there! Evil Karen!
#4
I say number 2, but when I started to sew we used feet and inches so it can be all very much hit and miss with me. But hey who cares.
Note to self – don’t tick the ‘Notify me of follow up comments via e-mail’ box when posting a comment on probably the most popular sewing blog in the world!
Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!
My guess is #1. I do the eyeball thing on hems “in the round”, but a lot of times I make a few marks and then kind of eyeball it to match where there are no marks.
LOL, I use my index finger and works every time… my guess based on the photo is number 1?
im also going with 1!
I agree there’s no way to tell scale here really. But I do think it’s interesting how you can learn to see a certain measurement with a fair amount of accuracy! I use 1/2″ seam allowances a lot and I find I can turn up that much by eye and be remarkably close, although I do usually use the ruler to check at least the first few points.
I believe it’s number 3. A standard pin is about 30 mm and that fold looks like it’s “half a pin”.
I think it is number 3! Tricky!!!
I’m guessing number 3. And I’m fairly sure number 1 is a 1cm seam allowance. (When I first took up sewing again, years ago, it was via a basic pattern-drafting class and the teacher advocated a 1cm seam allowance, which I then used for years. So I’m a lot better at eyeballing a 1cm allowance than a 1.5cm allowance.) (And after saying that, I’ve probably guessed completely incorrectly that #1 is 1cm!)
My guess is #2. This is fun!
I think 3…
Number 2 I would say
I’m guessing number 4
I’m going to trust my mild case of OCD and choose #2.
Is it 3? 🙂
I’m guessing 4 but the different lengths and widths of the panels themselves AND a print, as well as having no idea what width any of the panels are to begin with? Totally guessing.
I’ll play – #3
I machine a line of tacking / long stitches on the 1.5cm lines – acts like perforations on a bill and helps the fabric fold at the point you want it too…
I vote for number 3 please 🙂
Have to go with 2, tricky….
My instinct says 4, but whenever I eyeball something and then measure it, it’s generally a little bit too big, so chances of me being right are slim…!
And assuming you’re not being tricksy and using extra long quilters’ pins to mess with us…?! 😉
Ermmm, 2?
I think it is sample 3.
ummmm 2?
I’m guessing number 3, but since I’m not that accurate with my seams, I’m not sure
I’m thinking 2…and that I’ll never not measure a seam allowance ever again! 😉
I’m judging by the center portion of each, since the pinned portion distorts the fabric. I’ll say sample #4 is the 5/8″ fold.
~Jen
No. 4!
I think it’s #1, but even now I am second guessing myself.
#2 for me.
It’s either 2 or 4… they look very similar, but if I have to go with only one of them, I guess 2.
Fore!!
I mean four.
hmmm – 3 ? but every time I look, I want to change my mind LOL
I would say 2.
SA number 2 is 5/8. That’s my guess.
I think it’s 2. I never measure hems. works out – most of the time!
I vote 4!
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I’d also go with #2.
I’m going for number four…I think the print on a fabric can really throw your eye off so some fabrics make it easier to gauge the S/A and some make it much harder. I usually get my 15mm started with a measure then eyeball for a bit, then re-check to see how badly I’ve shifted either way…haha, I guess I am more careful when it matters.
I’m guessing 1!
I’m ok eyballing 10mm as that’s the width of my finger pretty much…15mm a bit more difficult..but I’d say 4, I think 1 may be 1.25 as it looks slightly more than my finger width…
I am waffling between 2 and 4, but I think it’s 4.
I say #2!! Oh the suspense is killing me! 😛
Okay I plump for 4
My guess is #4.
You know what’s funny– I was just tooting my own horn about this. My husband was giving me a hard time because I was explaining how awesome I was the other day while making curtains. My 1/2 hems were eyeballed and were perfect! He likes to bring me back down to earth though. I’m going to say 1.
1? I try to use only 1, 1/2 and 1/4 seam allowances because 5/8 is too hard to measure.
BTW, I never, ever eyeball. I’m not consistent.
I tried to use the pins for help too :-s I think 4?
4! I’m also getting to the point where I’m too lazy to measure silly seam allowances.
I think it’s #4. I always eyeball hems and such!
Is it no.2
I think 2! Though 4 looks the same to me!
I think number 4!
I’m torn between 2 and 4 but I think it’s 4!
I am going to make a wager on #2… And then put tape measures in all the places I work so I never eyeball again! 😉
I’m guessing #4. without a penny or small article for scale, it’s hard to tell.
I’m guessing #3, mostly related to how that looks against my mental tape measure, which is probably wrong. There are marks on my machine to indicate varying widths, so while I do eyeball quite a bit, it’s not quite as free and easy as it sounds. I fold and align against whichever of the marks meets the size I’m supposed to be sewing (or I decide will do the job). 😉
2
WHAT??? 15 mm??? Here across the pond, I could never, ever guess about a metric measurement, but #2 looks like 5/8″ to me. I eyeball this one a lot, too!
Actually I find that I am excellent at “eyeballing”; it’s just a matter of practice! There are jewelers in India who never use scales; they weigh gems in the palm of their hands and make no mistakes when tested against an They train from an early age; the wife of one such man says he can go to the market and never use a scale to weigh anything, and he is always dead on!
Unfortunately here, the pics are not to scale, and so it’s difficult to tell exactly which would be the 5/8 seam, but if I had to guess, it’s a bit of a tossup between 2 and 4. If pressed real hard, I’d have to go with #2!
…that should read: “…and make no mistakes when tested against actual scales!” Proofreading BEFORE submitting is always good!
I vote #2. BTW – this totally kept me wearing a size 16 for years when I was bigger. Just sew smaller seams!! Who was I kidding?!
with you there Liz – one of the (many) advantages to sewing is that you can delude yourself about your size by skimping on the seam allowance!
This would be easier if it were in front of my eyes as pins vary in size and there is no other point of reference- plus how far away your camera and the zoom factor you used in relation to the fabric is a factor as well. But I’m enjoying everyone’s guesses. I know if I could if I had the fabric in front of me though!
Very tricky to leave scale out! My gut says it is number 1.
Erm I think 1 or 2. The others are surely too wide? I don’t eyeball unless using the guide on my machine (I’m sure that doesn’t count!). too insecure (sob!)!
From here it looks like number 1, but I would have more confidence in my ability to tell if I saw it in real life.
Is it no. 3, although my seams are more like no. 1, yikes!
I’m guessing No 2
I’m going for number one, I do sometimes eyeball my hem allowance, then double check it with the tape measure!
2 and 4 are my top picks – and I’m committing to 2.
It’s an interesting and simple exercise that I’m going to make up for a lass I’m teaching to sew (we start tomorrow – how timely of you, Karen!).
Sam
I’m guessing that it is no. 2
My guess is #4. What a fun game 😀
I’d guess 2 or 4… I’ll go with 4 though 🙂
I’m a ‘finger measurer’ too – so I’m saying number 1.
Going with 4! Ughhh it is going to bother me all night, haha!
Number 1! When I can be bothered, I cut a bit of cardboard of 1.5cm and use that as a guide….
I believe it is #2.
I’m guessing #1 as when I try to eyeball that length I always go too big…
I’m going for 1… but interested to know as a beginner sewer.
I’m going to say 4!
1 looks more like 1/2 inch, and 2 looks closest to my eyeball 5/8″. 4 runs a close second.
I’m thinking……..2?
I guess #2. A handy always-on-your-body measuring device (well, for most people it’s always on your body) is your hand and fingers. Most people’s first knuckle on their index finger is about one inch long. Many, many knuckles are about 5/8″ across. Hands are about eight inches from bottom of palm to tip of longest finger. Even if your own personal measurements are a bit off one way or the other, your fingers and hands are an excellent way to estimate distance when precise measurements are not critical (and for most garments, you’re okay to be 1/16″ off here and there, since fabric is largely a fluid medium).
Hey, I just checked! My finger measurements are bang on what you say, though my hand is only 6.5 inches long. Fantastic!
I’m guessing 4.
I’m pretty accurate at 5/8″ seams without a ruler but you didn’t give us anything to judge by, you sneak! I’m waffling between 2 and 4….OK, #4.
I believe it is #3.
I choose # 2; it looks about right to me.
I haven’t looked at any comments – will read them all after this. To me, it stands out as being 3 ???
#3, I usually do not measure this, and I am usually very close. Can’t wait to see the answer.
Number 4 for me, I think.
In analogue, I usually eyeball. In digital, it’s a little harder! But I think it’s no. 2. (Also, like the fabric. Hmmmm florals)
Gotta be 3!
It looks like #4 to me!
I was torn between 2 and 4, but I’ll stick with my 1
*1st instinct which was 2.
I think it is # 1. I just recently found all the sewing blogs and I have really enjoyed them. I find you to be knowledgeable, entertaining and your work is so well done.
I’m gonna say 3? I never measure anything (entirely out of laziness of course) from baking to sewing and count my lucky stars when things work out. I live in a world governed by luck 🙂
I think it is number 1
My Vote goes to number 2!
I am thinking 2, but I have made myself a paper template for ironing these things 🙂
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I instantly thought #2 when I looked at the four examples! Was glad to see that several others thought the same thing as I scrolled through the comments 😉
4! She says with confidence… Mmm or maybe not. And that’s why things don’t quite fit. Quite often!
Number 4
Number 1!