Oh yes, I remember those machines and wish they were still in use! I often think of them when I watch my material being measured out - can't imagine why they were phased out.

I used them in 1955, the day after I got my working papers, at W.T.Grant. I felt like a real BigWheel using that machine. I still have some fabric with the Grant's sticker on it.

I too remember the fabric stores using them, but I have no clue as to why they stopped using them.

I remember them. Because I went many years without sewing, I didn't even notice they weren't there when I started buying fabric again. They kind of went the way of the x-ray machines they used in the shoe stores to see your feet inside the shoes. As a kid, I thought that was kinda cool too. I guess that's why my feet glow in the dark :)

My LQS still tears the fabric. I was told by the lady that taught my quilting class that you wound up with straighter fabric that way.

I vaguely remember them, but it's too bad they don't use them anymore, because they are probably more accurate than running against a ruler.

here is a picture of one http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...130994-46.html

I just got some batting off the roll at Joann and the clerk used that machine to measure the yardage. I think it is used for all wide rolls.

When I worked at Sew-Fro it was 1/4 yard that we could give away and between 1/4 and 1/2 yard for half price. It had to be written down though.

I remember both the JoAnn's being in strip malls and the little measuring machines. Thanks for refreshing my memory.

Seems like I remember my mother fussing, because the machine did not measure straight.