How to take every measurement, illustrated

Upper bust

Wrap the tape measure around your torso, nesting it high up under your armpits, straight across your back/shoulder blades, and sloping slightly up above the fullest part of your breasts in the front (pull the tape measure tight). Why it matters: This measures your actual skeletal frame size. Always choose your base pattern size by your high bust measurement — the neckline, shoulders, and armholes will fit beautifully without gaping.

Second bust circumference

Wrap the tape from high under your armpits, straight across your back, then slope the tape slightly over the fullest part of your breasts in the front (unlike the Upper bust, where the tape sits above the fullest point). This differs from the Full bust, where the tape is perfectly parallel to the floor.

Full bust

Measured around the body through the bust points, parallel to the floor.

Under-bust

Measured around the body at the base of the bust (under-bust).

Waist circumference

Measured around the rubber band tied at the waist, loosely; if there are skin folds above or below the band, include their protrusion in the measurement.

Hip circumference

Measured around the body in the hip area, at the widest point.

Neck circumference

Measured around the base of the neck, like a tight stand-up collar.

Bust width

Measured as the distance between one armpit fold (imaginary armhole) to the other, above the bust.

Bust span

Measured as the distance between the bust points; secure the tape (with a pin) to the bra.

Shoulder width

Measured from one shoulder tip, across the neck, to the other shoulder tip.

Back width

Measured from the top of one armpit fold (imaginary armhole) across the shoulder blades to the top of the other armpit fold.

Back length to waist

Measured using the shoulder harness from the side neck point to the bottom edge of the waist band at the back.

Front length to waist

Measured using the shoulder harness from the side neck point to the bottom edge of the waist band.

Armhole depth

Measured with the slightly bent (not straight!) arm. Place a tape or soft ruler in the armpit at the back, parallel to the floor; read the distance on the shoulder harness from the side neck point to the armpit ruler.

Bust depth

Measured along the shoulder harness from the side neck point to a pin placed at the bust point.

Bust base height

Measured as the distance from the bottom edge of the waist band to the base of the bust (or the bottom edge of the bra underwire).

Front slanting length

Measured from the middle of the shoulder harness (where the pin is at the bust point), diagonally to the shoulder tip. Or: from the high shoulder point (near the base of the neck) diagonally down over the bust apex to the desired waistline.

Back slanting length

Measured from the shoulder tip (the same point as for the front) diagonally across the back to the intersection of the waist band's bottom edge and the spine.

Hip height

Vertical distance measured from the waistline (waistband) down to the widest part of the hips.

Arm length

Measured on a semi-bent arm, from the shoulder tip, through the elbow to the wrist joint below the bone.

Upper arm circumference

Measured around the arm at the armpit, recording the widest point.

Wrist circumference

Measured around the wrist bones.

Hand circumference

Measured around a tucked/closed hand across the finger knuckles.

Waist circumference

Measured around the rubber band tied at the waist, loosely; if there are skin folds above or below the band, include their protrusion in the measurement.

Hip circumference

Measured around the body in the hip area, at the widest point.

Back prominence depth

Measured from a vertical plane (e.g. a wall or ruler) placed against the most prominent point of the buttocks to the elastic band at the center back waist. Used for precise pattern drafting / swayback adjustment.

Hip height

Vertical distance measured from the waistline (waistband) down to the widest part of the hips.

Skirt length

Measured from the elastic band around the waist down to the desired length along the most prominent part of the side.

Back waist height

Measured from the elastic band around the waist down to the floor along the center back.

Side waist height

Measured from the elastic band around the waist down to the floor along the most prominent part of the side (the side seam line).

Front waist height

Measured from the elastic band around the waist down to the floor along the center front.