how to take your own measurements by Simple Simon & Company

We absolutely adore the Simple Simon & Company girls, liZ and Elizabeth. I am hoping to make one of their Starboard Skirts before summer. And how cute is that striped ruffled skirt or the oh-so-fabulous bustle skirt? And don’t get me started on how much I love their “The Art of Homemaking” series. even if it is for a little one.

We’re also so excited to have them here as our Sew for ME! guests today!

Hello.

It’s us, Elizabeth and liZ from over at Simple Simon and Company. Now, we know that you are probably thinking that we only make kids clothes. And you’re right…kind of. While we are wild about children’s clothing (sewing it, photographing it, styling it, designing it, embellishing it, whatever) what you may not know is that we are also interested in sewing for ourselves. (Don’t let the conspicuous lack of self photos throw you off—taking pictures of ourselves is just not on the top of either of our “likes” lists.)

For a while we have been trying our hand at designing and drafting our own patterns. Sometimes we are successful and sometimes we fail…miserably. Either way it’s been an adventure and something we’ve wanted to pursue. So a while back we decided that if we were going to continue drafting and designing we wanted to learn how to do it the “right” way. (Don’t get us wrong we think self-teaching and experimentation is AWESOME—that’s how I (liZ) started—but we also felt a need to be ”trained” in the classical art of technical sewing.

After some searching Elizabeth found us exactly what we wanted and currently we are enrolled in an advanced pattern drafting course. It’s awesome. Our professor, who started her own business before we were born, is literally a wealth of information. What we have gained has been worth all the late nights, travel times, and missed dinners. I only wish we would have found her sooner.

As you all know, there is a big difference between sewing for girls and sewing for women. And what we’ve discovered is that when sewing for women the ability to take correct measurements can make all the difference. It’s like the foundation or the canvas for what you are going to create—and if it’s not right nothing you make will be either. (Trust us…we know from experience—one of us, who shall remain nameless, is on her third body draft!)So today we want to share with you how we’ve learned to take a few (of the seemingly endless measurements) one needs to take to draft a pattern and hopefully this will help you in your sewing pursuits.

Taking a bust measurement.

First things first. Our teacher is switching us to the metric system in this drafting class. It’s been hard. But we think it will be worth it. But, we are showing you in inches today just because it is convenient and ultimately more of what we know here in the States.

Also, you want to measure yourself in your underclothing….and nothing else.

Now, put your measuring tape around your back and up under your armpits. You should be able to hold the measuring tape tight with your arms down because it is being held so tight right in your armpits. Next, have someone bring the measuring tape around the front to the fullest part of your bust. And record the measurement. For this dress-form lady, the bust is 34 inches.
Taking a waist measurement.

Ok, this may sound simple but first—you have to find your waist. And well most of us are using the wrong measurement….because we don’t wear things at our waists!

So, here’s how to find your waist. Stand with your hands on your hips and bend to the side. (Think Richard Simmons here.) Where your side bends (and it is probably a lot higher than you think) is your ACTUAL waist. Mark that spot with your finger. Now take the tape and measure around this line. Record your measurement. This little dress lady is 26.5 inches.
Taking your hip measurement.

There is a formula for finding your hip and your hip placement….but let’s take the easy hip measurement right now. Find the fullest part of your lower tummy and hips (standing in front of a mirror may help you find this spot). Using your tape measure, record this hip measurement. This dress form is 34 inches.

Now you have the three basic measurements that are on the back of most commercial patterns. Or you can use these measurements to draft your own patterns or to change an existing pattern. Yes, there are ”x of backs” and “point of busts” or about 20 other measurements in our course but we won’t show you those today….because let’s face it….we still get different measurements than our master teacher!

If you too are interested in drafting patterns (which is essentially starting from scratch—not tracing patterns from anything) we started out learning about pattern drafting from books (vintage books are awesome at this). Or even taking a class is a good way to go. The Fashion Institute near us offers 4 different pattern drafting classes based on different techniques and skills.

Thank you Kirstin, Jordan and Kelly for inviting us to your Sewing for Me series. Happy measuring and happy pattern drafting!

I can’t tell you how much I LOVE having this information on hand! Be sure to head over to check out all of the blog loveliness at Simple Simon & Company.

And go say hi at Sewing in No Man’s Land for more Sewing for ME! goodness!

By Blogsdna

Comments

how to take your own measurements by Simple Simon & Company — 7 Comments

Harmony on March 7, 2012 at 6:37 am said:

Thank you for sharing! This is a great start for beginners!! My mom has taught me how to make my own patterns, which is quite a chore, but very worth it. Especially when it seems like nothing from a store fits you for various reasons. (My reason: I’m 5’11″ and a size 6. Clothes are NOT meant for women my height!!) When drafting a pattern for yourself, or someone else, there is an absurd amount of measurements to take for the most accurate fit possible. And there are a few formulas to use depending on what you’re making…and it makes me tired just thinking about it! LOL

Reply ↓
- Kirstin on March 7, 2012 at 9:27 am said:
  
  Harmony- I’m not quite as tall as you (5’9″), but tall enough to feel your pain on the not-quite-right fits of clothes. Maybe that’s why I love dresses so much? As long as they’re long enough, they kind of hang differently on everyone anyway.
  And I love it that you offset by making your own patterns- genius!
  
  Reply ↓
Morgan | Mrs. Priss on March 8, 2012 at 9:50 am said:

This is incredibly helpful for a beginner like me! Thank you!

Reply ↓
- Kirstin on March 8, 2012 at 10:14 am said:
  
  And me! Loved your post today, by the way!
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: sewing for ME! project round up | kojodesigns
Carol on May 17, 2013 at 5:05 pm said:

These directions are great. If you look online for directions for drafting slopers, as I have been recently, you will need to take all those measurements to which you referred. But it’s not very clear where to start that base of neck or nape measurement. Perhaps you would be willing to do the same kind of demo for the other measurements? I’m sure there are many of us who would totally appreciate your efforts! Thanks!

Reply ↓
- Kirstin on May 18, 2013 at 8:26 pm said:
  
  Liz and Elizabeth are great at this, right? I will pass on the recommendation…
  
  Reply ↓