Take your own measurements…

One of the basic skills you will need to know is how to be able to take body measurements, if you are wanting to construct your own patterns. This takes practice and you may find that after 2 tries, your results may differ. My advise is to take measurements on someone, maybe a friend, or your partner or even your child and practice – once your measurements are the same after two tries of measuring, know that you are taking more precise measurements. Below I have listed a few rules to follow when taking measurements that I think will be useful for anyone wanting to take measurements.

Below, I will explain with images of how to go about taking measurements.

These are the measurements you will need to be able to construct patterns :

Back Length
Skirt Length
Bust Height
Shoulder Length
Shoulder Height
Side Length
Under Arm Length
Arm Hole Width
Upper Arm
Wrist
Back Width
Shoulder Width
Upper Bust
True Bust
Waist
True Hip
Upper Hip
Bust Point
Armhole Depth
Centre Back Neck to Wrist

But first, there are certain “rules” to keep in mind when taking these body measurements in order to get accurate readings. These are:

Do not pull the tape measure too tight. As a guide, you should be able to fit in two fingers under the tape measure when measuring for circular measurements – like the bust, waist, hips.
If you plan on taking your own body measurements, avoid doing so, as this may lead to inaccurate measurements. Rather get someone to take your body measurements. There are certain measurements, like the bust, waist and hip measurement that you could get away with when taking your own but for the other measurements, definitely invite a friend to take them for you.
Make certain that the person whose measurements is being taken, is wearing tight fitting clothing or is in undergarments to avoid inaccurate measurements from being taken as bulky clothing just increases the measurement.
It helps to tie a ribbon around the waistline. This serves as a guide and ensures that the “waist” is constant.
Always write down the measurements – do not try to remember them.
Practice makes perfect… remember that! I suggest taking the measurements, jotting them down, then retake the measurements and check that they are the same as your first measurements.

(1) Back Length

Measure on the back. Hold top of measuring tape at the base of the neck and measure downwards, stopping at the waist i.e. base of neck to waist

(2) Skirt Length

Measure on the side. Hold the top of the measuring tape at the waist and measure downwards to required length i.e. waist to length

(3) Bust Height

Measure on the front. Hold the tape from the neck and measure going down the front to the highest point of the bust i.e. back of neck to highest point of bust

(4) Shoulder Length

Measure on the front. Hold the measuring tape at the neck and measure downwards going over the center of the bust to the waist i.e. back of neck, over center of bust to waist