Vintage Pelouze Gajit 4-Inch Hem Gauge c. Mid-20th Century 1950s
Viridian Eclection
The Piece
A Pelouze Gajit hem gauge, a four inch sliding sewing gauge in metal, finished in crisp black and silver.
The face carries clean typographic markings against the dark ground, and a sliding pointer runs the length of the scale so a measurement can be set once and repeated exactly. The whole tool fits in a palm.
It is marked "Gajit," "Pelouze Mfg. Co.," "Evanston, Ill.," "Made in U.S.A." and "Pats. Pend."
History & Provenance
Pelouze Manufacturing Company of Evanston, Illinois put its name and its city on the tool itself, as American makers of small precision goods did. The Gajit belongs to that line of single purpose metal tools built to outlast the garments made with them.
The gauge was designed for the sewing room, for measuring hems, seam allowances, pleats, tucks and any other distance that has to be struck repeatedly and identically down a length of cloth.
The "Pats. Pend." mark indicates the tool was in production before its patents issued, which places it early in the design's run. The construction and lettering are consistent with the middle of the twentieth century, around the 1950s.
Product Details
| Maker | Pelouze Mfg. Co. |
| Model | Gajit hem gauge |
| Era | Mid twentieth century, circa 1950s |
| Origin | Evanston, Illinois, United States |
| Form | Sliding sewing gauge with pointer |
| Materials | Metal |
| Color | Black and silver |
| Marks | "Gajit," "Pelouze Mfg. Co.," "Evanston, Ill.," "Made in U.S.A.," "Pats. Pend." |
| Measurement Range | 4 inches |
| Use | Measuring hems, seam allowances, pleats, tucks, spacing and other small repeated measurements |
| Dimensions | 4 inch scale. Overall measurements to be confirmed |
| Condition | Vintage condition with light age appropriate wear. Markings remain legible and the form presents well |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
Small tools with one job are the most satisfying kind to keep. This one is graphic enough to read as an object and precise enough to still be worth using, which is a rarer combination than it sounds.
It belongs in a sewing basket, a workroom display, or a group of vintage notions on a shelf, where the black and silver face gives a hard edge against wood and cloth.
For collectors of American made practical design, and for anyone who still sews, it is the kind of thing that makes a small corner look considered.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Visit the Eclection on Tuesdays, 10 am to 4 pm.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
