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Blog - Body Measurements for Sewing Garments
Taking Accurate Body Measurements for Sewing Garments
Posted by
Jan Saunders Maresh
on 5th Oct 2014
Taking Accurate Body Measurements for Sewing Garments
By Jan Saunders MareshPart of the Sewing For Dummies Cheat Sheet
When you want to sew clothing, you start with a pattern. Determining your pattern size can be a humbling experience because it requires you to measure your body, but it’s an essential step in making sure the finished garment fits properly. Here are some tips on taking accurate measurements so your project ends up the right size:
- Get someone else to take your measurements. It is impossible to take them yourself and get an accurate read, so find someone you trust, swear them to secrecy, and start measuring.
- Dress in your underwear or a leotard, and tie a narrow ribbon or a piece of elastic around your waist, but not too tight. Move around a little bit until the elastic or ribbon finds your natural waistline. Note that this may not be where you wear the waistband of your favorite pair of slacks or jeans.
- Measure by placing the measuring tape around the torso as parallel to the floor as possible.
- Have your helper take the following six measurements:
- Height: ____________
- High bust circumference at the crook of the underarms approximately 2 inches above the full bust: ____________
- Full bust circumference at the widest part of the bust: ____________
- Natural waist circumference (the narrowest part) at the ribbon or elastic: ____________
- Hip circumference at the widest part and approximately 7 inches below the natural waistline: ____________
- Back waist length measured from the bone at the base of the neck to the natural waistline: ____________
Blog - Body Measurements for Sewing Garments
Taking Accurate Body Measurements for Sewing Garments
Posted by Jan Saunders Maresh on 5th Oct 2014
Taking Accurate Body Measurements for Sewing Garments
By Jan Saunders MareshPart of the Sewing For Dummies Cheat Sheet
When you want to sew clothing, you start with a pattern. Determining your pattern size can be a humbling experience because it requires you to measure your body, but it’s an essential step in making sure the finished garment fits properly. Here are some tips on taking accurate measurements so your project ends up the right size:
- Get someone else to take your measurements. It is impossible to take them yourself and get an accurate read, so find someone you trust, swear them to secrecy, and start measuring.
- Dress in your underwear or a leotard, and tie a narrow ribbon or a piece of elastic around your waist, but not too tight. Move around a little bit until the elastic or ribbon finds your natural waistline. Note that this may not be where you wear the waistband of your favorite pair of slacks or jeans.
- Measure by placing the measuring tape around the torso as parallel to the floor as possible.
- Have your helper take the following six measurements:
- Height: ____________
- High bust circumference at the crook of the underarms approximately 2 inches above the full bust: ____________
- Full bust circumference at the widest part of the bust: ____________
- Natural waist circumference (the narrowest part) at the ribbon or elastic: ____________
- Hip circumference at the widest part and approximately 7 inches below the natural waistline: ____________
- Back waist length measured from the bone at the base of the neck to the natural waistline: ____________
