Why I Swear by Centimeters (and a Little Math) for Every Ornament I Make

Today, I’d like to address two questions I get asked all the time. These may seem like small things, but they make a significant difference in my process, and I think you'll find them helpful too.

1️⃣Why I Prefer Doing the Math Over the Paper Strip Method

A lot of people ask me why I always “do the math” when I measure my foam balls, instead of using the paper strip method. I totally understand why the paper strip method is so popular. It’s quick, simple, and works well for many ornament makers. But personally, I prefer using a measuring tape and a bit of math.

Here’s why: I’m very lucky to live in Yokohama, Japan, where my local craft store carries very well-made foam balls. When the label says an 8 cm foam ball, it truly is an 8 cm foam ball, and it won’t be lopsided or uneven. Because they’re so consistent, I can rely on my measurements every single time.

I’ve written a cheat sheet of the most common divisions I use. So when I’m working, I don’t have to pull out a calculator every time. My measuring tape and my notes make the process quick, easy, and accurate.

Of course, if your foam balls aren’t quite as uniform, the paper strip method might still be your best friend! It’s all about what works best for your materials.

2️⃣ Why I Use Centimeters Instead of Inches

Now, for the second question, I get a lot:
“Why do you always use centimeters instead of inches?”

If you’ve bought any of my tutorials, you’ve probably noticed that I include both inches and centimeters in the updated versions. But I’ll be honest, I always work in centimeters myself.

Here’s the problem with inches: when I do my math, I end up with awkward decimals like 2.3 inches. Then I have to figure out what that means in fractions. Is it 2 ⅜? 2 5⁄16? I’m not great at that kind of conversion (and I suspect I’m not alone 😅), so I end up relying on an online converter to tell me which fraction I should be using.

With centimeters, that whole problem disappears. If I calculate 2.3 cm, I just measure 2 centimeters and 3 millimeters with my measuring tape. The decimal system aligns perfectly with millimeters, so it’s clear, consistent, and precise. There’s no need to convert or guess.

I know that for many Americans, working in centimeters feels unnatural since we’ve all grown up using inches! But trust me, for making ornaments (and probably lots of other crafts), centimeters make life so much easier. If you make a lot of these ornaments, I highly recommend investing in a metric measuring tape. You won’t regret it!

✂️ Wrapping Up

So there you have it. Two little quirks in my crafting process that make a big difference for me:
💡 I prefer to do the math because my materials are consistent, and
💡 I use centimeters because it saves time and eliminates confusion.

Crafting should be fun and smooth, not frustrating! If there’s a tool or a method that helps simplify your process, lean into it.

Thanks so much for reading (and watching, if you caught the video version). I’ll see you soon with more ornament-making tips and tutorials!

Happy crafting 😁