Taking Your Measurements

• A professional looking garment enhances your total fashion image and is as much the result of a proper fit as it is of careful construction. An accurate set of body measurements is essential to adjust your new dress model to as close a copy of your body as possible. Ask someone to help you in checking and recording your basic body measurements. When measuring, pull the tape snugly, but not too tightly, around the fullest part of each body area being measured.
• Take the measurements listed below and note them on the diagram. Include your required length for trousers/pants if your model includes a trouser/pants making option.

• Before making any specific adjustments (Fig 1), adjust the height of the model to ensure that the shoulders are exactly level with your own shoulder height. (This is where help from a friend is particularly important.)

Back waist length	Measure from the nape at the base of the neck down to the natural waistline.
Bust	Measure straight across widest part of back, under arms and across fullest part of bust.
Waist	Measure around natural waistline.
Hips	Measure around fullest part - usually 17.7cm - 22.8cm (7" - 9") below waist. Make a note of the distance between waist and hips. Tip - Select skirt or trouser/pants pattern size according to hip measurement. (Any necessary waist adjustment is relatively simple.)
Neck	Measure around fullest part of neck.
Skirt length	Measure from floor (wearing shoes with appropriate height heel) to your required skirt length. On dress model, use calibration tape on stand, which gives measurements from ground upwards.
Trouser/Pants length	This is a fashion/personal choice. Decide on Capri, ankle or boot leg style), and measure accordingly.

• Wear only your usual underwear when taking your body measurements.

Other useful measurements you are likely to need in garment making: