Guide
How to take your measurements for sewing
In short: wear thin clothes, tie a string around your natural waist, keep the tape level and snug but not tight, and measure twice. Most patterns need only 4–6 numbers: waist, hip and waist-to-hip for skirts; bust, back length, neck and shoulder for tops; rise and inseam for trousers. Ask a friend for back length and shoulder.
The measurements, one by one
| Measurement | How | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Bust | Around the fullest part of the bust, tape level across the back. | Bodice, T-shirt |
| Waist | Around your natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso. Tie a string there first. | All skirts, bodice, trousers |
| Hip | Around the fullest part of the seat, feet together. | Skirts, T-shirt, trousers |
| Waist to hip | At the side, from the waist string straight down to the fullest hip. | Skirts (dart length, hip line) |
| Back waist length | From the prominent neck bone (nape) down the spine to the waist string. | Bodice |
| Neck | Around the base of the neck, over the nape bone and front hollow. | Bodice, T-shirt |
| Shoulder length | From the side of the neck to the shoulder bone tip, along the top of the shoulder. | Bodice, T-shirt |
| Upper arm | Around the fullest part of the upper arm, arm relaxed. | T-shirt sleeve |
| Arm length | From the shoulder bone tip, over a slightly bent elbow, to the wrist bone. | T-shirt long sleeve |
| Body rise | Sit on a hard chair; at the side, from the waist string straight down to the seat. | Trousers (crotch depth) |
| Inseam | Inside leg, from the crotch to the floor (or wanted hem) without shoes. | Trousers |
| Skirt length | From the waist down the side to where you want the hem. | Skirts |
Common mistakes
- Pulling the tape tight: ease is added by the pattern, so measure the body as it is.
- Measuring the waist where your trousers sit instead of the natural waist — the string fixes this.
- Tape dipping at the back on bust and hip — check in a mirror.
- Mixing units: switch the tool to inches if your tape is in inches.
Starting sizes
If you just want to try the tool, start from one of these and replace the numbers with your own:
| Size | Bust | Waist | Hip | Back length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 80 cm | 62 cm | 86 cm | 39.5 cm |
| S | 84 cm | 66 cm | 90 cm | 40.5 cm |
| M | 88 cm | 70 cm | 94 cm | 41 cm |
| L | 94 cm | 76 cm | 100 cm | 41.5 cm |
| XL | 100 cm | 82 cm | 106 cm | 42 cm |
| 2XL | 106 cm | 88 cm | 112 cm | 42.5 cm |
| 3XL | 112 cm | 94 cm | 118 cm | 43 cm |
Draft a pattern with my measurements
Questions
Should I measure over clothes?
Measure over thin, close-fitting clothes or underwear you will wear with the garment. Jeans or a jumper add 1–3 cm.
What if I am between two numbers?
With a made-to-measure pattern you don't need to round to a size: enter the exact number, to half a centimetre or quarter inch.
How do I measure my own back length?
Tilt your head forward to find the prominent bone at the nape, then measure down the spine to the waist string. It is much easier with a helper.