How to Take Sewing Measurements
and Pattern Fitting Measurements

Regardless of what you plan to sew, knowing how to take sewing measurements and being accurate with your measurements can save you both time and money.


Fabric Measurements Guide

A good sewing measurements guide is a useful reference as there will be times when you will need to convert measurements from inches to yardages. (Especially if you are measuring for home decor projects.)

Note: When measuring for home decor fabrics, it's a good idea to always round up to the nearest 1/8-yard increment when you take the project's measurements.

You can find the above sewing measurements guide here for easier copying/printing.

Pattern Measurements. What's Your Size?
How Much Fabric Will You Need?

However, if you don't know your correct pattern size (which will not be the same as your ready-made size) or your size is a combination of two sizes, you may wind up purchasing too little or too much fabric.

So how do you determine your correct pattern size? Help is a click or two away! Check pattern company websites. For example, Simplicity offers diagrams and charts to help you find your personal sewing measurements. Also, some designers who market their clothing designs for the major pattern companies use measurements that are NOT standard to the pattern making industry. In other words, these designers are taking updated sewing measurements and designing clothes sized for how most of us really are! The "Today's Fit" pattern line by Sandra Betzina is one example.

Therefore, when picking your pattern, always check the pattern measurements listed on the back and save yourself having to make a lot of alterations later.

For some helpful tips regarding working with patterns, visit my tips page. Something else...

Once you know your basic measurements, you might want to invest in a dress making form. Forms come in several types and all price ranges. Are they helpful? Yes.

Take Sewing Measurements to the Next Level!

Pattern Fitting Measurements

Once you know your correct pattern size, you'll need to take some additional body measurements in order to accurately "fit" your pattern to your body. With these additional fitting measurements, pattern fitting (or altering) becomes a lot easier and actually starts to make sense.

Taking measurements for acurate fit is not hard. Most of these you'll be able to find by yourself; some will be easier with a helper.

Measurements you need to know if you ever want to attempt pattern fitting:

Your high bust. This is the measurement taken high under your arms and many pattern companies use this as the chest measurement.

Your full bust. Take this sewing measurement around your body at the fullest part of your bust.

Your bust point. Ok, simple enough to find with two measurements. First, measure from the middle of your shoulder down across the bust to the nipple. Second, from one nipple to the other.

Your cross chest or front. This is found approximately at the same point as the high bust measurement. With your arms straight down at your sides, notice where the arm and side meet? There will be a crease at this point. Measure from one crease to the opposite crease. Note: Bust cup size definately comes into play with this measurement. Someone with a C cup or larger will need more fabric across the front than those wearing the industry standard for patterns, which is a B cup.

Your cross back. This is your true back measurement. You'll most likely need someone to help you when taking this sewing measurement.

Your shoulder width. Taking a sewing measurement here is a bit challenging, but you can do it. Measure from the shoulder joint (where your arm and shoulder meet) to your neckline.

Your natural waist. Tie a string or pin a length of elastic around your waist and wiggle a bit. Where it settles is most likely your natural waistline. It's helpful to take this measurement standing up and sitting down. If the two measurements are not the same, use the one taken when sitting.

Your back waist length. This is the length from the back of the neck (nape) to the bottom of your natural waist.

Your waist to floor length. Put a string around your waist or a belt and measure both your right and left sides to the floor. If you have one hip higher than the other, you'll see it here.

Your high hip. Measure about three inches below your waist. This is where most of us have our tummy pooch! (Taking sewing measurements here can be depressing!)

Your full hip. This is the area around the fullest part of your hips across your thighs. It's good to measure how far down from the waist this is also.

For pants, you'll need a thigh measurement. Sit down and measure around the thigh at the crotch.

Your upper arm. With a slightly bent arm, measure around the fullest part (which should be your bicep).

Your full length sleeve. Take this sewing measurement with a slightly bent arm and measure from the shoulder (joint) down along the bent elbow to the wrist bone.

Your wrist. Just take a nice slightly loose measurement here.

Your crotch length. Again, take this sewing measurement with a string tied around your waist to find the natural waistline or wear a belt and measure starting in the front, under (between the legs of course), and up over your bottom to the back of your waist.

Your pant length. From your waist, side seam, to the anklebone or longer if you prefer. This measurement will vary depending on what shoes you plan to wear. A low heeled shoe will result in a shorter pant length and, obviously, a high heeled shoe will need a longer length.

Your skirt length. Like pants, this measurement taken from the waist side seam, will vary depending on where you want the hemline to be!

Your dress length. Start from the center back of your neck and take it as long or short as you desire.

Jacket length. Start from the center back of your neck. Ending points for this measurement are usally at the waist, the high hip measurement or at the crotch.

NOTE: There are many wonderful books, dvds, and magazine articles on the subjects of pattern fitting, how to take sewing measurements, and how to alter clothing you already have. Start reading. You'll find the intimidation factor getting less and less as you learn more and more.

Find some excellent books on altering and pattern fitting on my sewing books page.