Height chart for kids
Create something special for the family with this printed height chart.
You're probably familiar with the pencil marks on the doorframe your parents made to see how tall you were? Or maybe you marked your own child's height in that way?
Today I'll show you an alternative: how to create a beautiful measuring chart using your Brother PrintModa Studio fabric printer and sewing machine. You can either print the image with the measuring scale or, if you choose, use your ScanNCut to cut the scale from heat transfer vinyl and iron it onto the measuring chart.
Materials needed
- PrintModa Studio Fabric Roll
- Backing fabric: 29.7 x 132cm cotton or canvas fabric
- Hanging sleeve: 9 x 28cm of the same fabric
- Batting: 30 x 132cm
- Wooden dowel: 35cm long and 0.5cm diameter
- Thin cotton cord: approx. 1m
Optional
- Heat transfer vinyl: 55 x 30cm
Equipment needed
- Brother PrintModa Studio fabric printer
- Artspira app on your phone/tablet*
- Sewing machine
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Fabric clips
- Baking paper
- Iron and ironing board
- Cutting mat and craft knife
Optional
- Brother ScanNCut
- CanvasWorkspace
- Long Standard Tack Adhesive Mat 12 x 24" [CADXMATSTD24]
- Hook tool
- Cutting mat and standard blade or vinyl blade
Notes
Washing: if you want to wash the chart, follow the instructions that come with the printer for washing printed fabrics.
Download printing files here Download cutting files here
How to
Step 1
Download the image file you would like to use (with scale or without scale) and save to your phone or tablet.Turn on the PrintModa Studio fabric printer and install a fabric roll. Open the Artspira app and tap as follows:
New > Design Editor > Fabric Roll > Custom Size > Width: 297mm – Height: 1320mm > Create > + > Gallery
Select the appropriate image with or without the measuring scale from All Photos or Camera Roll.
Tap on the opened image, then on Layout and adjust the height and width again as before: 297mm (w) x 1320mm (h) and then tap:
Done > Done > OK > Done The printer will start printing. When done, remove the printed piece of fabric from the printer. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the ink to dry properly.
Step 2
If you chose to print the scale, jump to Step 6.
To add the scale with heat transfer vinyl, create a new project on CanvasWorkspace and make sure the mat size is set to 12 x 24 inches.
Download and open the cutting file by clicking on the blue button above.
When you open the .fcm file in CanvasWorkspace, the file should already be the correct size. To check the size, select all, click on Edit in the bar on the right, and set the height to 497.8mm and the width to 283.6mm.
Transfer the file to your ScanNCut.
Step 3
Place the vinyl with the glossy side down on your cutting mat and secure the edges with washi tape if necessary. Make sure that Half Cut is activated in the cutting settings on the ScanNCut. Cut the design.Tip: use the Test Cut function to test the ideal cutting pressure on a small piece of vinyl before you start cutting the design.
Step 4
Remove the vinyl from the cutting mat and weed the design. Slowly and carefully remove the vinyl that is not part of the design from the backing material. Only the lines and numbers should remain on the backing.
Tip: check that the distance between the centres of two lines: it should be 1cm.
Step 5
Inspect your cutting: the correct size of the total grouped elements here is 203.9mm high and 134.4mm wide.
Check for any missing numbers or lines that you may have weeded away. If you're missing a line or number, cut it from a small piece of vinyl with the ScanNCut.
Carefully adhere the missing element to the large design using tweezers or the hook. A ruler will help you maintain the correct spacing when placing elements.
Step 6
Cut through the backing material to separate the three columns of numbers and lines.
Place the first column (starting from number 60) on the right-hand side edge of the printed measuring chart motif, approximately 2cm from the bottom edge and approximately 0.5cm from the right edge. The numbers will now be the correct way around and the smooth side of the backing material will be facing up.
Place a sheet of baking paper over the backing material and iron to fix the white vinyl to the fabric. Leave to cool for a minute, then carefully peel the backing away. The lines and numbers will now be adhered to the fabric. Cover with baking paper and press again to ensure the vinyl has fused well.
Place and press the remaining columns of numbers (from 110, and from 160), checking that the clearance is 1cm between the centres of last and first lines.
Tip: the temperature and ironing time depend on the vinyl used. I recommend testing this beforehand with another piece of fabric and cut-out numbers or lines.
Step 7
On the smaller piece of fabric (9 x 28cm), fold one of the short edges 1cm to the wrong side and sew it down with zig-zag stitches, sewing over the raw edge. Repeat on the other short side.
Step 8
Lay the strip with the wrong side facing up. Fold the top long raw edge 3cm towards the centre and pin.
Sew over the raw edge with zig-zag stitches, catching the fabric underneath as you sew.
Fold the remaining long raw edge 3cm over to the top (the raw edge will reach just below the fold), covering the two layers of fabric. Sew along the raw edge and through both the layers below it with zig-zag stitches.
Your hanging sleeve now measures 3 x 26cm and has two small openings at the short edges (like a tunnel).
Step 9
On the one short edge of the backing fabric, mark the centre, and 2cm from the left and right edges. Place the finished hanging sleeve between the markings and secure it with clips. Now sew along the long edges of the sleeve with straight stitches, but DO NOT sew over the tunnel openings!
Step 10
Place the piece of batting on the wrong side of the backing fabric and secure it with clips. Sew around it, 0.5-0.75cm from the edges.
Step 11
Place the printed piece of fabric and the backing fabric with right sides facing, making sure the hanging sleeve is at the top edge (near the giraffe's head). The batting will be facing out. Secure all around with clips. Sew around with a 1cm seam allowance and straight stitch, leaving an opening of 15cm at the bottom short edge.
Step 12
Trim the corners and turn the height chart the right way around through the opening you left in the bottom.
Sew the opening closed. Press, taking care not to iron directly onto the vinyl – use the baking paper to shield the vinyl from the iron.
Top stitch around the edges of the measuring chart.
Step 13
Carefully cut small notches in the wooden dowel, 1.5cm from each end. Use a craft knife for this.
Step 14
Thread the dowel through the hanging sleeve and tie a doubled cotton cord around the notches.
Trim any excess cord ends.
Now you can hang the height chart. Measure to make sure that the 60cm mark is 60cm from the floor.
If you have a baby, you can place the measuring chart on a changing table or bed and measure your baby with it (you can start at 100cm as there is no 0 on the scale).
Mark your child's height with clothespins attached to the right-hand side edge of the measuring chart.
I hope you enjoy printing and sewing!
I can’t wait to see what you make! Remember to tag in Brother on Instagram and Facebook, and myself too! You can also find Brother on Pinterest and YouTube for even more inspiration.
