Anyone who has boughten their tape at the dollar store did you use only one piece on each side? My bil says that not matter what one you buy, unless you get the real wide tape they all bend the same. Can anyone tell the difference?

I have not yet made a bag using the metal measuring tape in the top, although it's on my 'to do soon' list.

My understanding of the way the 'bend' works is that you want to have it so that the way the tape was rolled on the spool is situated so that the two pieces seek to 'curl' back towards each other when the bag is shut. Hope that sentence makes sense to somebody besides me!

Yes I have already made one myself. I just wanted to know if there really is a difference if any in the different strengths of bend in the tape measures (Ithnk I am explaining it right). So that I guess it would make it tight if you used one each side and then if you used 2 pieces it would make it come together closer and be stronger. Since one is coming from a $1.00 store verses any other. I hope I am not confusing anyone.
You know what the saying is you get what you pay for.

Do tell ... what is a snap bag?

Go up to search at the top of the page. Click on search. Type in snap bag.

Haven't tried it yet but was told if you use two pieces of measuring tape on each side, it makes the "snap" much stronger. That might come in handy if you were using it as change purse.
Tape ends with masking tape. Numbers always facing lining.

numbers face the lining? I thought the two pieces were supposed to go together like spoons in a drawer, no?

I have made them with the $$ tape, worked fine. Remember to have the curve of the tape so its to the outside of the bag. calla/Sue

Gee in reading the other posts I made mine different........but it worked............go figure............

The one I made in a class had us using two pieces in each side. It snaps together wonderfully tight. I think these are really neat for people who have arthritis in their hands. :-D

No, curved side should be facing to the outside of your bag on each side. Although, maybe together like spoons works. I think you might lose the snappiness on one side if how it's rolled up has anything to do with it.

If it's only $1, the investment might not be so bad. I'd try it.

I wonder if you can use those "snap" wrist band? The ones where you slap'em on your wrist and it wraps istself there? Just an idea instead of rulers but then you get more out of an ruler than those wrist band, depending how many you're making!

I don't think they bend in the same way. You could try it and let us know if it works but I don't think it will.

I don't think those will work either not strong enough. When I made mine I put the bump on the inside of the bag so the curved part is facing the outside. Just remember to cut the tape as close to the 1/4" edge as possible. One of them I made wasn't as long as it should have been and didn't close all the way, it left a little gap.

I love these bags though.

I'm going to try these snap bags. They really caught my eye. We own a floor covering business and go through tape maeasures quite rapidly. Always buy the good ones but they eventually wear out. I've got to see if any one has one that no longer goes back into the holder part. If they don't I'll go to the Dollar Store too.

I think you ladies got it right about the wrist band not being strong enough but it was worth the thought.

Good ole Harbor Freight! They didn't have any rotary cutters but they do have good tape measures! For $1.99 I bought a 3/4" one that will certainly do the job for Snap Bags!

I have the "Snap Happy bag" pattern available at a lot of places. Just google that! Has 3 sizes and a few options.

Beware that the pattern says to cut just one length (cut a piece) of the metal tape. Of course you need 2. It also says to have the numbers face the inside of the bag. Most of us have them face the outside so it closes )( this way.

Hi Kitsie, I have my rulers pieces facing each other as in this...( ) for better closure. That is what I was taught in a class. Do you feel it closes better the other way around?

I think that may be best. I did one with it going )( and tho it sounds nice (snap) it does leave gaps. I did the Snap Happy pattern and she says to sew side seams RST and turn but that leaves a big lump of seam that does not allow the ruler to close it tightly even tho the ruler does not go over the seam. I found to sew WST and use binding on the side seams. Still working on it! May post a tute one day!