Hiawatha Magic Basting Guide
 

According to Worthpoint:
"This handy little invention is designed to fit on your finger and has a bar on the top that is segmented with the different measurements you would be using while basting a garment, 5/8 1" 1 1/2". The inside of the basting guard has Hiawatha Magic Basting Guide, made in USA and Pat applied, etched on it. This is still a very handy item today, and would be a great addition to any vintage sewing tools collection"

but HOW do you USE it??? It only goes past the first knuckle of my pinky.
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Sure Miriam, go ahead and ask the easy questions won't you?
Neat looking but I don't have a clue either.
Rodney

Maybe the previous owner had tiny fingers? It seems like it would have to go on your thumbtip so you could use the guide as you folded and pinned your hem.

I think it would be on the index finger of your hand. You put the edges of your fabric at the seam allowance you want and it would help you have a consistent seam allowance as you sew. It would be as handy as a pocket on the back of your shirt.:D

Ditto what Tartan said.

Like an adjustable ring, you can spread it to make it fit LOL!!

Yup, put on the index finger of the hand without the needle, put the seam all the way in and then pinch with your thumb to hold while you stitch with the other hand.

seems rather cumbersome to me, but I rarely hand baste too.

I think it would work better if you put it more on the side of the index finger. If you roll the fabric over a bit, you can actually get a nice basting length basting stitch as you go.

Ok - now I'm trying to type with that stupid thing on my finger LOL!!!

curiosity won out -

I tried a few ideas and this worked best, and actually would be handy - if you hand baste . . .

No idea if this is "correct" or not.

take a stitch and then move the fabric back while moving the needle (out of the fabric) so the thread will also slip back under the guide.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps1ec25fa7.jpg

I stopped to take the picture, but I pulled the needle all the way through before moving the fabric back.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd15748d3.jpg

this has the fabric moved back for the next stitch, with the needle moved so the thread also slipped under the guide and is now ready for the next stitch forward.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps8163b31a.jpg

not the best - but you get the idea . . .

and if anyone is curious - these are the cuties in the background - 6.5 inch blocks for a swap I'm participating in. ( I took this picture several days ago so I already had it uploaded)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps232d4fb0.jpg

My daughter came over and picked it up. She tried it on and it fit!

I was thinking it might make a handy finger extension for holding the seam allowance down when pressing with a hot iron. Too bad I didn't think of that before your daughter claimed it.:D Cute kitty blocks!