ENDRIME® Denim Ruler

“I was trained in the UK as a fashion designer (1997-2002). I used centimetres to learn pattern cutting and sewing in the first part of my career.

Soon after entering the denim industry in 2002 in my very 1st job, I discovered that most measurements and garments are actually created in inches. Even the sewing machines we use today are made in inches. We've simply been converting inches to centimetres the entire time, and we haven't had a true relationship with the measurements we have been using.

The inch was not invented and evolved from ancient Roman and Anglo-Saxon body-based measurements over two thousand years ago. The word inch comes from the Latin word uncia, which means "one-twelfth" of a Roman foot.

When I started making my own jeans, I was being very technical in my detail drawings for many denim brands we consult for. I had to ‘re-learn how to talk in the language of construction' and work in inches going forward.

Once you discover that you can become a much stronger designer by working in inches, there's no going back.

When I created the HOW TO MAKE A PAIR OF SELVEDGE JEANS book, just before printing the book, I had the idea that I had to create a ruler to accompany the book. Especially as I have written the book only in inches, using measurements like:  

1/16”, 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4” and 1”.  

The side of the ruler which has inches actually has a special gauge that can be used to measure precisely the increments inside  1”.  

You can now simply take this ruler, put it against any twin needle stitch or small measurement, and accurately record the measurement. I use this ruler to check vintage garments and check what kind of stitch was used.

Fashion designers who use centimetres will find this ENDRIME® Denim Ruler, extremely helpful. I myself have been using this very ruler with my own students over the past few months in weekend denim masterclasses.”

—Mohsin Sajid