How To Take Essential Female Body Measurements Accurately

Body measurements because they are a big part of the whole tailoring process and every fashion designer needs them. They guide and direct how outfits are made and ensure the right fit every time.

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This week, we reviewed a video by Ndifon Ntui on how to properly take body measurements for women.  In this video, he shares how he takes the body measurements of his female clients for a perfect fit always. The video aims to help fashion designers to know how and from where to take body measurements of clients to avoid making mistakes.

This video review will cover;

• useful points fashion designers can learn from,
• the relevance of the information provided to fashion designers,
• important points missed out.

 Useful Points for Fashion Designers

When it comes to taking female body measurements, there are many things to consider. Starting from the top, let’s see how those measurements should be taken;

Upper Body

Shoulder: For taking shoulder measurements, it is advisable to start from the part of the shoulder that is right before where the slope starts. Depending on your preference, you can either choose to follow the top arc of the shoulder or measure straight across the back.

Bust: For taking bust measurements, take your measuring tape around the body of your client across the fullest part of her bust to get the most accurate measurements. While most people take bust measurements in front of the client, for decency sake, especially if you are male, you can take it from the side of the client. Simply ask the client to turn to her side, identify the fullest part of her bust from her profile and take your measurements at the side.

Under Bust Round: This is the distance around the body immediately under the bust. You can also take this from the side. Always put one finger in between the tape measure and the client’s body to make sure it’s not too tight.

Under Bust Length: This tells you where to place your under bust round measurement. To take this measurement, come from the shoulder straight down to the underbust. For this measurement, it is always best to take your measurements from the highest point of the shoulders. This is because when you are drafting your pattern, you always draft it from the highest point.

Bust Point: This is the measurement from the underbust round to the client’s nipple. An easy way to identify this point without having to touch the client’s nipple is to minus 4 inches from the underbust length figure. This method works like magic. For very busty women, this point will most likely sit at minus 4.5 inches.

Top Length: For taking this, come to the highest point of the shoulder, follow the contours of the body and stop where you want it to be. Never take this measurement straight over the body.

Round Sleeve: This is the distance around the fullest part of the upper arm. Pass the tape measure around the arm with one finger between it and the body.

Sleeve Length: Go to the point where you took your shoulder measurements, i.e. before the slop starts and take the sleeve length. For taking long sleeve length, have the client bend her arm slightly before you take the measurement. This will make your results more accurate. Don’t forget to take elbow and cuff measurements here if you are making long sleeves.

Dress Length: For taking dress length measurement, start from the highest part of the shoulder, follow the body contours, and end at your desired length. For floor-length dresses, you can measure past the client’s body length but always make sure to make the measurement 1 inch less than the heel the client wants to wear. If this is an outfit for a photoshoot session and the client does not intend to wear it a lot, your measurements can go as long as you want.

Lower Body

Skirt:

Waist: Ask the client where she likes to wear her skirt and then simply take the waist measurement around there. Remember to keep a finger there.

Hips: Take this measurement from the fullest part of the client’s hips.

Trousers/Shorts:

Thigh Measurement: You should take the measurement around one of your client’s thighs.

Round Knee: Depending on the type of trousers you are making, you might have to take the round knee measurement. Simply take the tape measure around one of your client’s knees. As you take this measurement, ask the client to bend her knee backwards to determine the amount of allowance she will need. Whatever you get after that is your measurement.

Round Ankle: If you are making jeans or trousers from a stretchy fabric, make this measurement tight. If you are making free pants or trousers from a non-stretchy fabric make this measurement free. If the fabric is not stretchy, never make the hem less than 13 inches for a lady. This is to make it easy for her feet to pass through it.

Important Points Missed Out

Crotch Depth: This is an important measurement for trouser making. It is the measurement from the client’s waist to her bum when she is seated. To take this measurement, have your client sit and then measurement from the seat of the chair or stool to the client’s waist. This helps you determine how much space to leave for the client’s bum in the trouser so it is not uncomfortable.

The Usefulness of the Information to Fashion Designers

This video is very useful for fashion designers as it shows how to accurately take female body measurements. It teaches tips and tricks on how to make your measurement taking easier and more decent. By following the instructions in the video, fashion designers are sure to get better at taking these measurements.