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How to Take Accurate Body Measurements For Sewing

June 6, 2016 by Margaret 5 Comments

Learn how to take accurate body measurementsHow to take your body measurements

Taking accurate body measurements is one of the keys to a great fit.  Whether you choose to use a commercial pattern or draft it from measurements, having accurate measurements is critical to the success of your final garment.

All you need is a tape measure! 

While it's best to have someone else take your measurements, you can do it yourself.  Just stand in front of a mirror so that you can see that you have the tape in the right position.

You should be measured wearing only your undergarments.  However, close-fitting clothing will be fine.  I usually ask my customers to slip into yoga pants and a form-fitting tank top. 

Because the body is made of soft tissue, it can be a bit difficult to know exactly how tight to pull the tape around the body. The tape should be a bit snug, but not tight - it should not "cut in" or make an indentation in the body.  It should not be loose, either!

Tips For Accurate Measurements

  1.  If possible have someone else take your measurements
  2.  Keep the measuring tape level
  3.  Don’t suck in or push out.
  4.  Wear as little as possible or very form-fitting clothing while taking your measurements.

How to Measure:

Bust: Measure the circumference of your chest. Place one end of the tape measure at the fullest part of your bust, wrap it around (under your armpits) to get the measurement.
Natural Waist: Measure the circumference of your waist. Use the tape to circle your waist at your natural waistline.  This is located above your belly button and below your ribcage. (If you bend to the side, the crease that forms is your natural waistline.) Don’t suck in your stomach, or you’ll get a false measurement.
Hip: Measure the circumference of your hips. Start at one hip and wrap the tape measure around your rear, around the other hip, and back to where you started. Make sure the tape is over the largest part of your buttocks. Make sure the tape is level, try to do it in front of a mirror.
Rise: Measure from your crotch up to your natural waist in the front.
Inseam: This is the distance from the uppermost inner part of your thigh to the bottom of your ankle.

With help: While you’re wearing a pair of pants, have a friend stretch the tape from your crotch to the bottom of your ankle.

Without help: If you have a pair of pants that fit you perfectly measure the inseam of the pants, again from the crotch to the hem.
Thigh: Measure the circumference of the fullest part of your thigh. Wrap the tape measure around your thigh from front to back and then around to the front.

Learn the key to sewing a great fitting garment with our FREE Body Measuring Guide!

Print the FREE  Let's Learn To Sew Body Measurement Guide to use while recording your measurements.

If you have any questions about taking your body measurements for sewing let me know!

Related Posts:

  • How to Take Measurements for Drafting a Custom Fit Bodice
    How to Take Measurements for Drafting a Custom Fit Bodice
  • How to Draft A Bodice From Measurements
    How to Draft A Bodice From Measurements
  • Tools, Supplies and Measurements to Draft a Basic T-Shirt
    Tools, Supplies and Measurements to Draft a Basic T-Shirt
  • How to Take in Pantlegs: Making Pants Slimmer in the Leg
    How to Take in Pantlegs: Making Pants Slimmer in the Leg
« How To Use The Edge Joining Foot
How To Use A Seam Ripper Properly »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diana luis

    November 28, 2016 at 11:09 am

    "we have to take best measurement of ourselves for that we have to stand in front of the mirror and take our measurement" this trick was really appreciating and this solved my problems

    Reply
  2. Paul James

    December 02, 2016 at 7:21 am

    very useful article learned a lot of things thanks for shearing

    Reply
  3. adeolanofisat

    January 08, 2018 at 10:23 am

    please after taking the body measurement, how many inches are to be added while sewing

    Reply
    • Margaret

      January 08, 2018 at 3:51 pm

      If you are using a pattern that has the seam allowance included (most commercial patterns include it) you do not need to add anything to the measurement.

      Reply
  4. Kaitlyn L Smith

    February 16, 2020 at 3:46 am

    Thank you so much for these great tips!

    Reply

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