My first video meeting with a client happened a few weeks after the quarantine had started. In this meeting, I guided her how to take her body measurements. She asked me to make her a laced top with sleeves to wear above her wedding dress. Although this virtual meeting was very entertaining, I really like meeting with clients face to face. However, the Covid-19 era forces us to practice social distancing. This is why I decided to make this post and the attached video at the end of the post. Learn how to measure yourself so you can start making your dream dress today, without meeting face to face with the seamstress!
The equipment you need and a few tips before we start
First, make sure you have a measuring tape and a belt or even a string to wrap around your waist. Your waistline is the narrowest area of your belly, located beneath the ribs and above the belly button. If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can use a ruler and thread, however it would be a bit more complex and clumsy, so I recommend buying the measuring tape. Stand straight with feet together when you measure yourself, ask for assistance for measurements of the back or the length of different body parts, and don’t forget to write down all the body measurements. You should wear a bodycon dress with sleeves or a T-shirt, this way you have the stitch of your clothes to guide you where the shoulder ends and your arm starts. Last but not least, you should definitely wear a bra! Let’s get started! :)
Body measurement #1 - Neck
Measure the circumference of your neck, finish at the neck notch
Body measurement #2 - Bust
Measure the circumference of your chest. Make sure to go through the shoulder blades.
Body measurement #3 -Waist
Measure the circumference of your waist, around the belt that you put at the beginning, remember?
Body measurement #4 - Hips
Measure the circumference of your hips, around the widest part.
Body measurement #5 - Shoulder
Measure the distance between the neck and the end of your shoulder, at the sleeve stitch of the garment you are wearing.
Body measurement #6 - Bust height
Measure from the intersection point of your shoulder and your neck to the nipple.
Body measurement #7 -Shoulder to waist (front)
Follow the same line until you get to your waist, where the belt is located.
Body measurement #8 -Bust separation
Measure the distance between your nipples.
Body measurement #9 -Front width
Measure the distance between your armpits at the front,
no need to get inside the armpits :)
Body measurement #10 -Back width
Measure the distance between your armpits at the back,
no need to get inside the armpits :)
Body measurement #11 - Shoulder to waist (back)
Measure from the most prominent bone at the base of the neck to the waistline, your belt.
Body measurement #12 -Waist to floor
Short dress: measure from the belt to wanted length of your skirt.
Maxi dress: measure from the belt to the floor
If you want a dress with sleeves, these are the necessary body measurements:
Body measurement #13 - Bicep
Show me your muscle! :) Measure the circumference of your arm, around the widest part of the biceps
Body measurement #14- Wrist
Measure the circumference of your wrist, the narrowest part of the arm.
Body measurement #15- Arm length
Slightly bend your elbow! Measure from the top of your arm, where the sleeve starts, to the wrist.
Bravoooo!!! You did it!
You can see that there are a lot of measurements to take, but more measurements means a better fit. And if you follow my instructions exactly as written, you will have the perfect dress that suits you like it was tailor-made just for you, because it is ;)
Can't wait to hear how the experience was for you.
I’m here for you for any questions:
Email: Olgadress.il@gmail.com
Etsy inbox
Love,
Olga.