Taking Measurements
There is a proper way to take measurements to give the best fit when making a garment. You should keep an accurate record of all your measurements, and check them each time you start to prepare a new pattern.
Be aware of manufacturer's sizes. Keep in mind that different manufacturers sizes are different. One retailers size 14 is anothers 16, and yet anothers 12. Knowing your size doesn't mean knowing your measurements. Keep track of your own measurements. This is the whole idea of customization used in our patterns.
It is also important that you take your measurements accurately to be sure the garment will fit you.
Taking an accurate set of measurements is not difficult, but takes care. We suggest that you ask your relative or friend to help you.
Measurements should be taken over your usual undergarments. Do not pull the measuring tape snug too tight. Let yourself breathe!
We strongly recommend you use the metric system. Metric measurements are more accurate and easier to use than imperial. Regular measuring tape has both inches and centimeters on it.
Please round your metric measurements to whole numbers (e.g. 102 cm). Don't round measurements in inches though, or you'll end up 1.27 cm over or short your actual measurement.
Basic measurements
- Height: Stand straight (not too straight, just as usual) with your back, your head and your heels against the wall. Ask a Measurer to mark a spot at the wall using a ruler that goes on top of your head perpendicular to the wall. Measure the vertical distance from the floor to the mark.
- Bust: Take this measurement over the fullest part of the bust and across the widest part of the back. The measuring tape should go horizontally all around your body.
- Waist: To locate your waistline, tie a narrow string around the waist and let it settle into the natural waistline as you bend to the left and to the right. Take the measurement along the stringline.
- Hips: Take the measurement around the fullest part, which is usually 18cm (7") to 23cm (9") below the waist.
Advanced measurements (in addition to all mentioned above)
- Shoulder length: Measured from neck base to shoulder point. To locate neck base, circle tape horizontally around your neck under thyroid. To find the shoulder point, raise the arm to shoulder level. A dimple will form at the shoulder bone thats the shoulder point.
- Waist height from floor: Distance from waist to the floor. Place a ruler or book between your waist and the wall, make a mark on the wall. Measure height of the mark from the floor.
- Front waist length: Measured from the prominent bone at back neck to the neck base point, over bust point, and vertically down to waistline. (To find the back neck bone, bend the head forward so you can feel the neck bone, or vertebra. For neck base point see Shoulder length measurement.).
- Back waist length: From prominent bone at back neck down along the spine though a ruler of 1 width put at the projecting scapulae points to the tape tied at waist line.