Good measurements are the secret to a garment that fits. It takes about ten minutes, and you only need to redo it every few months. Here is exactly what to measure for our patterns, and how.
In short
- Wear thin, close-fitting clothes
- Tie a ribbon at your waist
- Measure bust, waist, hips
- Add height and arm length
- Write it all down
1What you need
Soft tape measure
Not a metal DIY tape: it must follow your curves.
A mirror or a friend
To check that the tape stays level at the back.
A ribbon or elastic
Tied at your natural waist, it marks it clearly.
Paper and pen
Write every number down, in cm or inches.
2Before you start
- Measure over your underwear or very thin clothes, with the bra you will wear with the garment.
- Stand straight and relaxed, feet together, breathing normally. Don’t pull your stomach in.
- Keep the tape snug but not tight: one finger should slide under it.
- Keep the tape level all the way around. Check in the mirror that it does not dip at the back.
3The three key measurements
| Measurement | Where | How |
|---|---|---|
| Bust (chest for men and kids) | Fullest part of the bust, usually across the nipples | Tape level across the back, under the arms |
| Waist | Narrowest part of the torso, a little above the belly button | Bend to the side: the crease is your waist. Measure over the ribbon |
| Hips | Fullest part of the bottom, often 18–23 cm (7–9 in) below the waist | Feet together, slide the tape up and down to find the widest point |
4Useful extra measurements
Height
Barefoot, against a wall. Our women’s patterns are drafted for 1.68 m (5′6″).
Arm length
Shoulder tip, over the bent elbow, to the wrist bone. Compare with the sleeve length.
Inseam
Crotch to hem on the inside leg, or measure pants that fit you well.
5Measuring your pet
For our dog and cat patterns, measure three things while your pet is standing (a treat helps!):
6Common mistakes
Tape too tight
The garment ends up too small. Keep one finger of room.
Bulky clothes
Measuring over a sweater adds centimetres you don’t have.
Using shop sizes
Pattern sizes follow body measurements, not the label in your jeans.