These dressmaker hem measures were widely used universally from the mid-nineteenth century both commercially and domestically. They were used to enable the dressmaker to carefully measure and height of a hemline to ensure they were even. This implement became particularly important with changing fashions which saw the rising hemlines. The measure could also be used when completing home furnishing tasks check regular and even length of curtains. The Dean Tape Measure company was started by Edward Dean in 1850. He started working with his father who was a carpenter making builder's measures and then became a "measure maker". The company was taken over by Stanley in the 1980s. The production of Dean brand tape measures ceased in 1989.These items are significant because they were widely used for domestic and commercial use from the 1850s onwards.Three measures on varying size bases. The two measures with circular bases include a pin cushion or receptacle for pins. The measure on the rectangular base has been home-made.On tape - DEAN - MADE IN ENGLANDdean tape measures, dressmaking tools, hem measurements

James S Steele tool boxTape measure linen 66 feet long. Made by Dean of London Leather stitched case with brass trimmings. 130mm diameter 33mm wideflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

60 inch linen measuring tapeDean Linen Made in England

tape, measure, dean

White tape measure with black printing in Inches.tape measures