Tracing wheel (sewing tool)

A tracing wheel is a small hand tool used to transfer sewing-pattern markings. It has a rotating wheel on a handle. A toothed wheel can leave a line of small points.

Use and features

The tool follows pattern lines for darts, pleats and pocket placement, among other details. Markings may be transferred using suitable tracing paper, while some methods make perforations without it. Museums Victoria documents an example with a toothed metal wheel and turned wooden handle dating to around 1957.

An older sewing tool

Check that the wheel rotates, the teeth are intact, and the axle and handle are not loose. Distinguish it from a cutting rotary blade or a tool that actually stitches. A wooden handle alone does not establish considerable age. Retain any case or pattern material, but do not use the museum object’s date as a general date for similar wheels.

Sources: Museums Victoria: HT 100.5; Tempe History Museum: mønsteroverføring.