Vintage gadgets- Testing a 1950’s Skirt Marker

[@jaredgraywest]

That kitty is givin' Laci some SASS!! 😂

[@LaciFayTheVintageGirlNextDoor]

Lol yep!

[@only257]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXeTZI18qZ2nbtk

[@Tryingtohaveityall]

Interesting gadget. The outfit is adorable. If I had to make my own clothes I’d have to move to a nudist colony.

[@resurrectedwreck]

We use these kinds of chalk hem markers a lot at work (I work in the costume department of various theatres and TV shows). I've always marked the line where I want the hem to be, then add on whatever hem allowance I want, then cut on that line. And do not fret, there are many different colours of marker gadget chalk!

[@only257]

Cool 😎

[@jennifermorris8716]

Beautiful Christmas outfit! Even more impressive that it is homemade.

[@ebgbjo2025]

It wasn't even due to the petticoat underneath. Next time, just mark length longer when factoring in petticoats then you can turn in hem higher when sewing. And yes, other colors of chalk are available :)

[@sharonzotoff3975]

I remember using one of those chalk markers in junior high sewing class. They're pretty genius. Tip: next time you're marking a full skirt just hit the high points of the curves. Don't try and flatten out the fabric as you're turning or you'll get inaccurate marks. Once you've marked the high points you can lay the skirt out and simply connect your markings. But super nice job on the new outfit!

[@the80sthrasher94]

The dress turned out great!! Also just wanted to say I hope everyone has a great Holiday season.

[@22mendonca]

Wow friend! Such a shame a part was missing however, I was impressed with how ou got it to work finally! Fair score methinks! xx

[@Susanfuzz]

Try a bias tape hem for a circle/gored skirt next time. It makes a lovely smooth hem. The marker probably works best on a pencil or A-line skirt. It may have taken longer than 60 seconds because you had A LOT of skirt :)

[@cheriec.2503]

I think your trimming shears are so lovely, Laci Fay! That wasn't the easiest project for you without the proper base.

[@LaciFayTheVintageGirlNextDoor]

It was a little rough but we got there eventually!

[@only257]

@@LaciFayTheVintageGirlNextDoor ⭐️interestingkzbin.info/www/bejne/q3jSp6h_btOEoaM

[@catherinepeloton4446]

This way of marking hem seems less boring than the usual way especially with a great skirt like yours.At the end you look gorgeous with this dress!!!

[@jonathansanford9577]

I can't get enough of the cats. They are perfect entertainment!

[@ashleylewis2783]

Love the blonde hair. It is so nice natural and flattering. And I love the Christmas outfit!

[@TheOriginalFreak]

Make-shift stand: Get a box, about twice the width of the one you have (roughly 12" x 12"); The box can be cardboard, plastic, etc. but does need to have an open top. Insert 1 hard cover book in one of the corners of the box, with its spine facing upwards. Keep adding books/cookbooks/etc. in the same 'spine up' fashion until you have books lined up from one side to the other, pressed up against the insides of the box on opposites ends and one of the other sides. The box should look like a 'hobo's bookcase' from some old episode of The Little Rascals. Insert the ruler end into one of the two inside corners of the box against which the books are pressed. There should be enough pressure between the end book and inside of the box to hold the ruler upright. By placing the ruler in the inside corner you can take advantage of two sides of the box to support the ruler from falling over left/right and forward/backward. If needed, use masking tape to further secure the ruler to the box; try wrap masking tape around the back of the ruler and then forward, around both sides of the ruler and then down along the outside of the box. The weight of the books/paper/etc. in the box, turn into a very stable base. Why so detailed? Well, when I was a kid, Bungee Jumping was just starting, and I would take a yard stick, and stand it up in the above fashion in a cardboard box filled up with old textbooks and fairytale books. I would then attach a string of rubber bands I hand cut in 1/2 and tied the ends together and then launched any number of action figures off the top of the "Tower" (aka Yard Stick) to my youthful delight. And my mother said I'd never have a "real" use for learning how to do that as a child. Laughs on her!

[@MidCentury43]

Late to the party. Never knew this "skirt maker" thing existed and it's cool seeing you test it out. Your videos are the perfect thing to cleanse my brain after watching awful holiday specials 👗✨

[@maryl5567]

Wow!! That dress is very cute!! Beautiful!! And very fun video! Enjoyed it!!😉👍🌷

[@kimmurphy6864]

I’m in love with your candle holder behind you. 💕

[@gymbeef]

One vintage gadget I wish you would test out is your beautiful stereo console.

[@gipsie100]

The gadget did the job, enabled you to mark your own hem without having to wait for help. A tip for you when you come to cutting the excess fabric away never cut the fabric off you way you did on the double layer you need to cut the fabric on a single layer going round the skirt. I always mark my skirts at the finished length I want then add on as you did the hem allowance. The Christmas outfit looked amazing xx

[@lauradols8741]

Absolutly adorable!

[@Poppy-]

As always, love your vintage gadgets videos. I had seen 3 of those at the charity shop last year. Didn't buy one. You look like a doll with that dress. Precious ☺️

[@LolitaHaze]

I have 2 that you attach to your door and I love those. They've really helped me with my hems.

[@dmbalsam]

There are different colors of powders. A solid base would make it easier to use as well as practice. Never had one, but knew people who did and I have been sewing a long time.

[@gogomica]

Lol I absolutely love the bloopers! We love you Laci and we’re always here for you! ❤️

[@kathybriscoe1474]

The skirt hem marker I had a metal base to hold it up. I don’t remember how much I paid for it but based on when I had it, I would guess about $10.00. I think I folded the material up to where the chalk line was marked.

[@LaciFayTheVintageGirlNextDoor]

Oh gotcha. Yeah, I had quite a bit of excess material I decided I’d better trim it.

[@ElsaInCa]

I’m so glad you filmed testing that gadget, I was curious how it would work. Your finished outfit is beautiful! Perfect for the holidays!

[@merelhoekstra7330]

The Christmas set looks pretty! 🤩

[@dianaprice5948]

I never knew about the "skirt marker" but the skirt was very beautiful, looked really nice on you.

[@StephanieCanada]

Good work! I think I have two of these that aren’t in the best shape, (a whole list of reasons why no one should store old things in a garage attic in Florida) so I will see if I have a spare base for you.

[@LaciFayTheVintageGirlNextDoor]

Thanks so much friend! Oh that would be awesome.

[@JoySpirit888]

You are so Awesome so are your kitties 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈

[@estheryork146]

I love watching your videos! You inspired me to do my nails like yours Merry Christmas!

[@gabasketcase6698]

My mother had one of these, and did use it some when making my clothes. I must say the best part of the video was the talking kitty at the very beginning, not meaning to be rude to you Lacy!! I'm a sucker for precious dogs & cats, im.sure you understand my comment..😉

[@lruss5050]

I think 3/5 is appropriate! It more or less worked with extra help! I have seen these but never used one. I’m rather clumsy so it might be a problem! I love seeing the vintage gadgets!

[@pw529]

LOVE THE CHRISTMAS DRESS, AND I LOVE, LOVE, THE BROWN/RUST, BLACK BUTTONS DRESS AT AND END I HATE TO SAY THIS THOSE MARKERS NEVER WORKED ENEN WHEN NEW, HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY

[@zelva1961]

Wow... beautiful dress!

[@angelalong6740]

I loved how your dress looked. I hope your Christmas season is going great. 🎄

[@corinnecardoza3521]

Laci, all the commitment and work and excellence you put into the making of your videos and I LOVE the intros with your kittys conversating with you are the scene stealers and my fave ❤️ Your channel is a heartwarming reminder of my childhood and my grandmothers. You are a gem for sure ❤️

[@DebbieJeansThisAndThat]

I had never seen one of those before. It was interesting. Loved your festive outfit. 🎄Thanks for sharing Laci. Have a wonderful New Year. 🌴🌸🙂 Hi Johnny Cash🐱

[@emilyquirk6977]

I remember very clearly my grandma having one of these!

[@SouthpawPatty]

I love all of your videos so much! You can buy blue chalk line refill chalk powder. The kind that builders use. I think it would be perfect for that. It's for a making a temporary line that you snap onto large pieces of wood to be able to cut a straight line. The chalk is a very fine powder and it's really inexpensive. When I mark to a hem line I mark it at the finished length that I want it to be. I cut it far enough below the line to make the underside of the hem. I would probably find a small old Christmas tree stand to use for holding that gadget up and in place. I'm kind of weird though. I find ways to use things that aren't what they were meant for.

[@whiterose111406]

Fun video. I love the pattern on the dress! Merry Christmas 🎄

[@janiebrossmann1178]

For being 70 ish years old…I guess it wasn’t that bad …I’m shocked that it still works the way it does ☺️

[@tu3688]

You brighten my day

[@lorieharris2776]

Omgosh!!!!!!! So happy you scored this! I've had one on my thifting bingo card forever. Waiting for that lucky day to place my stamp, lol.

[@anniegolden1304]

Love all your outfits. They fit you perfectly.

[@SB-xw8fr]

Gorgeous Christmas outfit! Thanks for sharing another fun video.👗

[@lindabrown7374]

I have a vintage one, but haven't tried it out yet. Your dress is very pretty.

[@margaretrose8105]

I had a 'hem marker' but it used straight pins to mark the area...you went around yhe skirt/dress and inserted straight pins into the hem. Someone had to put item on first and another person moved the unit and pinned it. I love watching you..you remind me of my Mom and Aunt. Take care.

[@patricegravino6283]

really miss your gorgeous reg locks!

[@zelva1961]

Yeah a Lacy video ♥️

[@RoseWaltz]

my grandmother had one of these - she used it so much that she had it fixed to the door frame between the dinning and the living room! it stuck out about half an inch so you could still adjust the height of the chalk i remember standing on a milk crate so mom could mark my pants that needed hemmed, then falling off the milk crate because i was maybe four

[@gravesightadventures7118]

Absolutely love the dress

[@JustBeth-0ct12]

If you have any difficulty finding coloured chalk dust, I know such a thing is used in construction for marking long straight lines using a string. If you check a hardware store you should be able to find some!

[@JustBeth-0ct12]

@Bubbe Meiseh I suppose so! I just know it as a "chalk line"

[@karenrobertson890]

There is blue chalk as well. Your dress is beautiful! tfs

[@robind.2290]

Chalk comes in many colors, so yes you can change the color. I do remember the item mounted on a stand when my grandmother used it. She always marked where she wanted the finished hem to fall. She did not mark the skirt all the way around however with the hem marker, just a few places. It worked well because you could stand up and mark the hem line exactly where you wanted the dress/skirt to fall.

[@findmeinnature]

its half responsibility of the person selling it to ensure all parts are included and half the person buying it to confirm all parts are included, the product is really neat, I have a dritz skirt marker have you seen one of these products? your outfit is amazing!!

[@mehrit1648]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Almarosarivera]

The dress came out so beautiful! 😍

[@femmevintage]

0:07 Laci was like "Chile anyways"

[@TheOriginalFreak]

Caulk/Dust: You may want to test "chalk line" chalk sold in the hardware department of many stores. It comes in various colors including blue and red, but I am not certain of its color fastnest so you will want to test a swatch first. Outside of that, you could try crushing up sidewalk chalk in a mortar and pestle or with a rolling pin and a ziplock bag, but again, testing for wash-out-ability would be needed.

[@kkricket1968]

This was interesting and fun. Love all of your videos.

[@kathyramsey148]

Enjoyed the video- been meaning to buy a new one for a while now!

[@serinachilders74]

Chalk line chalk for snapping chalk lines may work, love the dress you looked great.

[@kristinburton4953]

I laughed as soon as I saw the picture on the box. Just no...hahaha :) I hope you and yours have a really nice Christmas. :)

[@mattymarjolet5685]

I feel like if there was a way to mount it to the wall while leaving the chalk pump adjustable it would be a lot more functional.

[@twobrokeguyz1214]

Honestly that looked very difficult. I think you were being very generous with your rating! lol. I think had this been used with someone less talented, they'd have a very difficult time using it! You did awesome! Great job on that skirt and it does look super festive!

[@alexandraalberti5029]

I have always wanted a plaid/tartan dress

[@kaseymeier5944]

Your dress turned out beautiful!

[@joycehunt1307]

I love my hem marker but I do wish it was wooden like yours. Have you ever noticed how many women have dresses that are shorter in the back than in the front? Well part of the benefit of this gadget is that you end up with an even hem from the floor even if you have a large booty that takes up more fabric. I like to mark where I plan to cut my fabric. As far as changing chalk colors, you can buy chalk in blue, yellow, etc in the sewing stores to refill the Chaco Color Chalk marker pens. I would think you can use that to change colors as needed.

[@riggs20]

I really love the finished Christmas outfit. So pretty! PS. I hope Kenya gets as many pets as Johnny Cash does! ❤️

[@timewarpambience1956]

This is cool Laci!!

[@gretchenarrant8334]

My mom had one and used when she made my skirts. It blew chalk dust if I remember to mark the hem.!! It had a stand it sat on.

[@LaciFayTheVintageGirlNextDoor]

Oh nice! Yep that’s exactly what it is.

[@kathleenoconnor8155]

Hi there! Love your videos! I was thinking maybe if you had a brick, it might be sturdy enough to hold the ruler in place, as long as the ruler would fit in the hole.

[@lanternsown3525]

Cool Laci! I didn't know what Skirt Marker was I learned something new today.

[@thewellnesshomesteader]

Love your dress Laci-great job! You can buy different colored chalks (Dritz sells them), and you can also use baby powder in a pinch if you are out of chalk. For your missing base, try a craft store for a piece of slotted wood. Also, I mark both lines-the hem and the seam allowance for the hem. That really helps in case you got “off” at one area of the skirt.

[@only257]

Great review 👍

[@lighthearteddesigns5493]

I had one of those in the 70’s

[@RealSB83]

Love the episode and amazing dress 😁

[@LaciFayTheVintageGirlNextDoor]

Thank you!!

[@Max-Roos]

You can buy blue chalk powder as well, for light fabrics😊

[@aquitaineq]

Pretty dress!

[@tracylamb903]

Ok. A lot of us have our hips a little uneven plus marking it with the petticoat on is not the best idea. I’m 60 y/o and we had one when I was young. It was great seeing it. Love your videos.

[@reddragon2607]

Laci ! The Dress looks soo pretty & 50s all the way. Also i did not know that something like that was ever invented & was like, wow when i saw it in your previous vlog. You know it reminds me of the old car jacks in it's style. I think they show it in A Christmas Story. my dad had a jack like that for his 74 Buick. Cool Vlog Laci, i dig it.

[@lisamarie674]

Love your Videos

[@hollywoodharriet13]

I've never seen this gadget, but it worked well considering you were hemming the skirt by yourself. The outfit looked lovely!

[@tracyisbest]

When I saw this item last week I really thought it was kind of gimmicky, ya know? When I was young and I used to watch my mom sew, she had an older Singer sewing machine but wasn't too reliant on it - she could go to town with a needle, thread and a thimble and could just create a hemline like...bang, bang bang and do the thing - no chalky powder necessary. That was my first reaction when I saw it last week. She'd create a hemline and whether raising or lowing it, it wouldn't require more than the width of a couple fingers and she was super fast. Same if she wanted to lower it. She was something with a seam ripper too. Ah, the memories. Miss U mom!

[@recyclecouture]

Wonder if you could mount it on the wall? I bet it would better on a pencil skirt? My mom had blue and pink hand held chalk so maybe you could find some colored chalk at Joann's

[@vanessavazquez2597]

Love your Disney California Christmas video love your Christmas 1950s pin up dress I Love. Disneyland in Disney California

[@Z-hillsGranny]

My Mom had one of those!!

[@tu3688]

Love your nails 💅

[@clarencemarsh6077]

Merry Christmas

[@amandaholloway2060]

nice job

[@marieryan2541]

Hi Lacy. It seems a good idea for getting skirt lengths so stick with it now you got a clay/ plastercine base which makes it stable. As for marking the hem I think it is your own preference what ever is easier for you I would go with that. Marie

[@raspberrymojitogirldec]

Love it very festive skirt hugs and love

[@LaciFayTheVintageGirlNextDoor]

Thanks so much!

[@robinoleary7099]

Finished hem. They also had like a 4 inch hem!

[@rs3007]

I am not sure if this is something to feel honored by.... but I named my dog "Lacey" bc you made reminded me of how I have always loved Laci/Lacie/Lacey. I had a long list of potential dog names but that is her. I went with a different spelling (Lacey) that seemed more dog like. We mostly call her Lace.

[@rysaj1]

I mark both on pants or dresses/ skirts.

[@heyhocodyo97]

Hey Laci Merry Christmas you look good

[@vbvb182]

Hi, yes there’s a few different colors

[@wanya_telborn]

Awe Indy

[@kathyhester3066]

Lace, what no Christmas decorations!?!? Is there a reason? Did they get ruined? Did I miss something? The marker works best w/a plain fabric &/or straight skirt. Love your outfit. When have used the hem marker I mark the hem a bit longer then I want the hem to fall. That way when I turn & pin the hem the chalk line is turned to inside of the outfit.