If you are trying to lose weight, but cannot afford to buy expensive equipment or measuring devices, you can make your own measuring tape inexpensively and easily. All you need to make your measuring tape is 5 feet of vinyl or plastic white ribbon, a permanent marker, and a ruler. You can find the ribbon at any crafts or fabric store, and the marker and ruler at any grocery store in the school supplies section.
Instructions
1. Measure your ribbon. Using your ruler, measure exactly 60 inches of ribbon. Stretch your ribbon out flat onto a hard surface, such as a counter top or a hardwood floor, and measure 60 inches using a 12-inch ruler. Once you have reached 12 inches, use your finger to hold the place and scoot the ruler down to measure out another 12 inches. Do this five times, and then cut the ribbon once you have measured out a total of 5 feet.
2. Mark your measurements. Using your permanent marker, mark the beginning of your measuring tape by measuring 1 inch from the end. At 1 inch from the end, mark the number "1" on your ribbon. Then, continue to mark the inches until you reach 12 inches. From 12 inches onward you will move the ruler down and continue to mark the inches until you reach 60 inches.
3. Once you have marked all of the inches, repeat the process except this time mark all of the centimeters. The centimeters are smaller and can be harder to read. If you do not think that you will be suing centimeters in your measurements, you can skip this step and proceed to step 4.
4. Let the marker ink on your ribbon dry completely and then roll it up for storage. You can hang your ribbon on a chair or table to let the permanent marker dry completely. This will prevent it from smearing or running and will allow the marker time to set into the vinyl. Once your ribbon has completely dried, you can use it to measure yourself or you can roll it up to store it for a later use.
Tags: your ribbon, measuring tape, permanent marker, your measuring, your measuring tape