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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Vintage Tracing Wheel

This morning I thought I would show you my vintage tracing wheel.

This belonged to my husband's grandmother, who passed away about 10 years ago in her 90s. So I'm guessing that she used it for years, maybe in the 30s and onwards?


I love that she "tattooed" her initials MB on the handle.




Wikipedia says "A tracing wheel is an instrument with serrated teeth on a wheel attached to a handle. Used to transfer markings from patterns onto fabric with or without tracing paper, this sewing tool also makes slotted perforations. Such markings might include pleats, darts, buttonholes, notches or placement lines for appliques or pockets. There are two basic types of tracing wheels available to the modern sewer, one with a serrated edge and one with a smooth edge."

But at the moment I'm just using it to add texture to cards. That wheel is pretty sharp, and I'm not sure what kind of surface I would use it on for sewing.
Check out more vintage goodies here.

14 comments:

Aimz said...

ahh is that what it's for? I bet it's alot more hard wearing and tougher than some of the tools we have nowadays

Cascia Talbert said...

That is very cool. I love old things. It's a piece of history. Happy WW!

Cascia @ Healthy Moms

JEWELGIRL said...

This is neat, I haven't seen a
tracing wheel since my home ec
days.... long time ago! Happy VTT!

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you posted this! I have one that was found in a box of family "junk" and people kept telling me it was for pie crust, but I knew it had something to do with sewing! Mine is really sharp, too!

The Apron Queen said...

My Mom used one of those when sewing. I am clueless about sewing. Thanks for sharing.

Coloradolady said...

Wow, what a treasure. I wish I had my grandmothers, but I don't know what happened to it. This is a great vintage family treasure. Thanks for sharing.

Stephanie said...

I also have my grandmothers sewing things. She didn't have one of these. It looks really neat, does it still work?

Melissa said...

That's a nice family heirloom you have. Since I don't sew I would have thought it was an old ravioli cutter. ;)
Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

That's beautiful! I remember my mom used one of these...

Beth Ann said...

WOW!

That looks dangerous! LOL
Isn't it great knowing someone used it! I'm sure if was her fav. thing to use, especially since she put her initials on it!
Thanks for sharing! LOVE IT!

Threeundertwo said...

My mom taught me how to use these. I think you can still get a modern version in stores. They're great for transferring marks.

I think it's cool that it's still so sharp! Nice VTT! I love sewing stuff. I need to start showing some of mine.

The Tiquehunters Wife said...

Yes!, those initials make your wheel such a treasure and so interesting! I do love vintage sewing stuff too!
Blessings to You!
Claudia O.

Gretchen said...

How neat! Do you have a lot of her things?

Carrie said...

I can remember using a modern version of wheel like that one when I was sewing in the 1970's.