One of the things in my kit that bugs me is my measuring tape, because of its obviously modern appearance. (Nothing really to be done with yellow plastic-coated tape...) So, for the times when I really care - I have a new measuring tape! The baseline is whipcorded linen and the colored tassels are line embroidery floss. 

at 18" - red
at 9" and 27" - blue
every five inches - yellow
first four inch increments - white

The photo is crappy, but you get the idea...