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Nail (Cloth)


A nail is a traditional unit of length used in cloth measurement, equal to 2¼ inches or approximately 5.715 centimeters. It was commonly used by tailors and fabric merchants in England to measure small lengths of fabric.


The term “nail” likely originates from the practice of marking lengths on a measuring stick with notches or nails, making it easy to measure fabric quickly. The nail was a convenient subdivision of the yard, with 1 yard = 16 nails.


Though obsolete today, the nail remains an interesting part of historical textile measurement systems.


Summary:



  • 1 nail = 2¼ inches (5.715 cm)



  • 1 yard = 16 nails



  • Used historically in tailoring and fabric trade



  • Originates from notches or nails on measuring sticks





Finger (Cloth)


A finger is a traditional, informal unit of length based on the width of a human finger. It was commonly used in tailoring and cloth measurement. The exact length varies but is generally considered to be about ¾ inch (approximately 1.9 centimeters).


The finger measurement helped tailors and fabric merchants make quick estimations of small lengths or widths of material before precise tools were common. It is one of several body-based units used historically in textiles, alongside the span, palm, and hand.


Though rarely used in modern measurement, the finger remains a part of historical measurement systems and illustrates how people relied on their bodies for everyday measuring tasks.


Summary:



  • 1 finger ≈ ¾ inch (1.9 cm)



  • Based on the width of a human finger



  • Used in tailoring and cloth measurement



  • Mostly of historical interest today



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