Taking your measurements

The first step of any dressmaking project is taking your body measurements. Make sure you're wearing the same underwear you'll be wearing with the garment you're going to make, underwear can make a big difference to your measurements.

Make sure you're holding the tape measure neither too tight or too loose, you should be able to move it, but not too easily.

The following are the main measurements you're likely to need.

Most of these measurements are very easy to take yourself, although a couple of them are easier if you have someone who can help.

Bust

Measure at the fullest part of the bust, make sure you're not holding the tape measure too tight, and make sure it's level from front to back.

Waist

Measure at the smallest part of the waist, not where your trousers sit. If you bend to the side, this will indicate your natural waist.

Hip

Measure at the fullest part of the hip. The distance from your waist will vary depending on your height and body shape.

High Hip

The high hip is where you can feel your hip bone, and it's approximately 3-4" or 7-10cm below your natural waist.

Chest Width

Measure across from armhole to armhole, approximately 1/3 of the way between your bust and shoulder. This can also be called 'across front'.

Back Width

Measure across from armhole to armhole, approximately half way between your bust and shoulder. This is virtually impossible to measure on yourself, if you don't have someone to help, add 2cm to your chest width measurement for an approximate measurement.

Single Shoulder

Measure from the side of your neck to where the armhole seam would be on a fitted garment.

Total Shoulder

This is best measured behind your neck, but can be measured in front if you don't have anyone to help. Measure across your shoulders from armhole to armhole.

Neck Circumference

Measure around your neck, where you'd have a close fitting neck opening or collar, the tape measure should sit low down, and cross over at the front.

Top Arm Circumference

Measure the circumference of your arm, approximately 2.5cm or 1" below your armpit. This is also called the 'muscle' measurement.

Sleeve Length

Measure from where the armhole seam meets the shoulder seam, to where you want the total length of your sleeve to be.

Waist to Hip

Measure from the smallest part of your waist to the fullest part of your hip.

Waist to High Hip

You need to feel where your hip bone is, and measure from there to your natural waist position. This will be approximately 3-4" or 7-10cm.

Waist to Bust Point

Put some tape or elastic around your bust and waist and measure from one piece of elastic to the other.

Waist to Armhole

Put elastic or tape around your waist and measure to where you would want the armhole seam to sit under your armpit, on the side seam.

Armhole Depth

The measurement from side neck point, to the base of the armhole.

This is easier measured by taking the 'Side Neck Point to Waist' measurement and subtracting the 'waist to armhole' measurement.

Waist to Floor

Measure from your waist to the floor with bare feet.

Nape to Waist

Put elastic or tape around your waist and measure to where you can feel the top of your spine on the back of your neck.

Side Neck Point to Waist - Front

Put elastic or tape around your waist and measure on your front to the side of your neck, the mid point from front to back, where a shoulder seam would usually sit. Make sure the tape measure sits over your bust point. (Side neck point can also be called 'high point shoulder').

Side Neck Point to Waist - Back

Put elastic or tape around your waist and measure on your back to the side of your neck, the mid point from front to back, where a shoulder seam would usually sit. Make sure the tape measure sits straight down. (Side neck point can also be called 'high point shoulder').

Thigh Circumference

Measure around the widest part of your thigh. Make a note of how far down from the widest part of your hip this is.

Calf Circumference

Measure around the widest part of the lower part of your leg.

Ankle Circumference

Measure around the smallest part of your ankle.

Under Bust

Measure directly under your bust, make sure the tape measure remains level around your back. Don't pull the tape measure tight.

Bust Point to Point

Measure across from point to point of your bust. This measurement should be from nipple to nipple. This could vary depending on the style of bra you're wearing.