How to Measure Yourself for sewing and Self Pattern Drafting

In this post you learn how to measure yourself for self pattern drafting.

Self pattern drafting is a skill that allows you to create your own custom patterns for sewing garments. It can be very rewarding and fun, but it also requires some basic tools and knowledge. One of the most important steps in self pattern drafting is measuring yourself correctly. In this post, I will show you how to measure yourself for self pattern drafting, sewing, and what measurements you need to take.

These measurements are the foundation — learn how to turn them into your own patterns here.

Why Measuring Yourself is Important

Measuring yourself is important because it will help you to draft patterns that fit your body shape and size. If you measure yourself incorrectly, your patterns will not fit well, and your garments will look unflattering and uncomfortable. Measuring yourself is also important because it will help you to adjust existing patterns to your measurements, or to compare your measurements with standard size charts.

What You Need to Measure Yourself

To measure yourself for self pattern drafting, you will need the following tools and materials:

• A measuring tape
• A notebook and a pencil
• A mirror
• A friend or a helper (optional, but recommended)

How to Measure Yourself

Before you start measuring yourself, you need to follow some general tips and guidelines:

• Wear tight-fitting or no clothes, so that the measuring tape can wrap around your body accurately.
• Stand straight and relaxed, with your feet slightly apart and your arms at your sides.
• Do not pull the measuring tape too tight or too loose. It should be snug, but not restrictive.
• Do not bend or twist your body while measuring. Keep your posture natural and comfortable.
• Measure yourself in front of a mirror, so that you can see if the measuring tape is level and parallel to the floor.
• Ask a friend or a helper to assist you, especially for the measurements that are hard to reach or see by yourself.
• Write down your measurements as you take them, and label them clearly. You can use a standard notation, such as bust, waist, hip, etc., or you can use letters, such as A, B, C, etc.
• Take your measurements in centimeters or inches, depending on your preference and the system you are using. Be consistent and do not mix the units!.
• Take your measurements at least twice, and compare the results. If there is a significant difference, take them again and use the average.

You will need to take the following measurements for self pattern drafting, divided into upper and lower part of the body:

Upper Part of the Body

The head: Measure the circumference of your head where you want the hat to sit. if you want, you can add a little looseness to the pattern, example head circumference 56 cm + 1 cm

The waist: Measure around your natural waistline, where your belly button is.

The shoulders: Measure across your back from one shoulder tip to the other.

The photos below show you in detail all the measurements you need to take for the shoulder area.

Top length : Measure from above bust to waist

The bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms.

The photos show you in detail all the measurements you need to take for the bust area.

The neck: Measure around your neck, where your collar would sit.

The photos show you in detail all the measurements you need to take for the neck area.

The armhole: Measure around your arm, from the shoulder tip to the armpit.

The sleeve length: Measure from the shoulder tip to the wrist, with your arm slightly bent.

The wrist: Measure around your wrist, where your cuff would sit.

The bicep: Measure around the widest part of your upper arm, with your arm relaxed.

The elbow: Measure around your elbow, with your arm slightly bent.

Lower Part of the Body

The hips: Measure around the widest part of your hips, below your waist.

The inseam: Measure from the crotch to the ankle, along the inside of your leg.

The outseam: Measure from the waist to the ankle, along the outside of your leg.

The thigh: Measure around the widest part of your thigh, near the crotch.

The knee: Measure around your knee, with your leg slightly bent.

The calf: Measure around the widest part of your lower leg, below the knee.

The ankle: Measure around your ankle, where your hem would sit.

Length : Meausre from above bust to ankle

You can see in the pictures below how to measure yourself correctly. Make sure the measuring tape is not too tight or too loose.

Want to put these measurements to use immediately? Try my shorts without a pattern tutorial, where I show how to turn your hip and rise measurements into a wearable pair of elastic-waist shorts.

How to Use Your Measurements

Once you have your measurements, you can use them to draft your own patterns, or to adjust existing patterns to your size. You can also compare your measurements with standard size charts, to find out what size you are in different brands and countries. However, keep in mind that size charts are not always accurate or consistent, and that different garments may have different fit and ease. Therefore, it is always better to check the actual measurements of the garment, or to try it on before buying or sewing.

Measuring yourself for self pattern drafting is a simple and essential step that will help you to create your own custom patterns and garments. It will also help you to improve your sewing skills and confidence. I hope you enjoyed this post and learned something new. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. Happy measuring! 😊

In this post you learned how to measure yourself for creating custom sewing patterns.

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