Who doesn’t like perfectly fitting dresses?
That outfit which seems like just made for you can simply make you happy and highly confident about yourself. However, not everyone knows the secret of such clothes. Well, it’s all about the measurements! In fact, the famous designer Michael Costello reveals, “How to take basic dress measurements to make a dress? ”
In this piece of writing, you will get a comprehensive discussion of the ultimate tricks to make use of measurements while sewing a dress.
Read on
What to consider before taking measurements?
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Bra or without a bra
The circumference measurement and bust level of your dress will change while depending upon whether you wore a bra or not. So, if you intend to wear one with the finished dress then also use one while taking the measurements. Also, keep in mind that you are wearing form-fitting clothing and your usual day-to-day undergarments to make sure that the finished dress fits you well. In fact, to consider wearing the right lingerie if you are planning to do the same with the sewed dress is considered as one of the best fashion tips.
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Ask for help
C’mon! You are going to take the measurements for crafting a dress for yourself. It is certainly not an easy task. You need someone to assist you. Just stand in front of the mirror and have someone to stand besides you. It will let you end up with the best dressing style for yourself. Also, you will have no hassle in taking your back measurements.
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Choose the right posture
You’ve to stand upright in a relaxed way while keeping your feet together in order to someone take your measurements for making a dress. It is recommended to breathe normally and assure that the tap is comfortably fitting in your body.
Measuring yourself: Seal this inside trick
To make a dress is definitely not an easy task. The aforementioned dressing tips will certainly help you make one. However, there lie some secrets too while measuring by your own through which you can make your outfit look stunning. One of such ideas could be pinning 1/8” of wide elastic material to a tight spandex dress that you can slip on. While marking the center front and center back, tie an elastic around your natural waist (just above the belly button), bust (the fullest part), and hip (widest part).
With this trick, you will be able to measure the exact same place twice. Hence, when you will be determining your front waist length then you would come to know the exact measurements. Also, you will get a side seam reference for determining your front and back waist length and your side seam length.
Keep in mind the body measurement chart
Are you ready now to get started?
Follow the six measurements which are mentioned below as the vital reference points before sewing a dress.
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Start with neck and bust
First of all, you need to measure your neck. Many people start taking the measurements randomly, somewhere in the waist or bust.
In order to measure your neck, pull the tap around the middle while coming from the back to front. It should be done in such a way that the tape lies at the base of the neck while being just above the collarbone.
When it comes to the bust, you need to bring the tape around your back and also around to the front. Make sure that you are pulling it around the apex point of your bust. The tape must be aligned parallel to the floor while making a straight and horizontal line across your front and neck. Suppose, you’ve someone to help you then just record the measurements at the front side while keeping your hand down at your sides.
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Go for waist and hips
Now, it’s time to measure your waist and for that don’t try to take the measurement of that area of your waistline where the pants finish. It is actually not your natural waist. The real waist lies in the smallest part of your torso and right under your rib cage near the belly button. Here, you need to make sure that the tape is even across the front and back and parallel to the floor.
When it’s about measuring the hips, don’t think that it starts from the top of your hip bone. Rather, you are expected to measure the largest part o your hip area.
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Measure the front waist length
In this case, you’ve to start taking the measurement from the side base of your neck. Just proceed at the top shoulder line and go down towards your waist level while passing over the bust point. You should never bend the tape even a bit. Keep it as straight as possible. When it comes to measuring the bust depth then start from the same starting point on the shoulder as your front waist length. Finally, measure down the apex of your bust bone.
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It’s time for the back waist length now
After you are done with the front part of the waist length then start concentrating on the back waist length. Here, someone else has to measure from the nape of your neck, towards your waist and perpendicularly down to the spine. If you want to measure the back width then take the measurement in a horizontal fashion between the attachment points of your arms.
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Determine the shoulder length
You have to measure the seam length of your shoulder. Start measuring from the base of your neck and reach up to the tip of your shoulder. If you are having any trouble in determining the shoulder tip then find out a garment in your closet that fits well and has a collar and a sleeve. All that you need to do now is just measure the shoulder length o that dress. For measuring your under an arm, you have to wrap the tape around the fullest part of your arm, just above the elbow.
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Finally comes the arm length
Just bend your arm slightly and start measuring from the tip of your shoulder over the elbow to your waistline. That’s it! Here, you will again need someone’s help to get this measurement.
Last but not the least trick
A yet another best approach to get your personal body measurements is just drafting your own set of slopers. They are actually the base sewing patterns which can be used to establish a proper fit. Finally, they can be modified smartly to curate chic and stylized sewing patterns which can perfectly fit your body.
Summing Up
This is how you can take the measurements in a flawless manner for making a beautifully fitting dress. To consider the exact lengths and heights is really important in order to sew such a dress. Hence, be very cautious while taking the measurements and you will certainly end up giving the best possible customized look to the next dress that you are going to wear.