Choosing the right size is arguably the most important decision before cutting fabric. You can sew wonderfully, but if you choose the wrong size, the garment won't fit. And here comes the most common mistake of all: choosing the size you wear in stores. Spoiler: it's almost never the same.
In this article, we explain how to choose your size in a sewing pattern step by step. And since at BERA Patterns we work with two measurement charts for almost all our patterns, we'll tell you why we do it and how to use them to get your size right the first time.
Why your store size doesn't work here
Commercial sizes (that 38, M, or 42 you're used to) don't follow a single criterion: they vary from brand to brand and from country to country. That's why in sewing, we don't choose the size by number, but by measurements in centimeters (or inches).
Step 1: Take your measurements
It all starts here. You need, at a minimum, your three basic measurements: bust circumference, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Take them with a flexible tape measure, with fitted clothing, and without pulling tight.
If you're not sure how to do it correctly, we explain it step by step in our guide on how to take your measurements. Dedicate five minutes to it: it's the foundation of everything else.
Step 2: Compare your measurements with the pattern chart
With your measurements in hand, go to the pattern's measurement chart and find the size whose figures most closely match yours. Always look at the centimeters (or inches), never the size number or letter.
It's normal not to fit into a single size
This is key and almost no one talks about it: many people fall into different sizes depending on the measurement. For example, one size for the bust and another for the hips. It's not a problem with you, it's normal: every body is unique.
Patterns are designed precisely for this. You can combine sizes, connecting the size of one area to another (for example, from the bust to the hip) with a smooth line. It's one of the great advantages of sewing your own clothes.
Step 3: Consider ease
A common misunderstanding: your measurements are not the measurements of the finished garment. Almost all clothing has some ease (a few extra inches) so you can move comfortably.
That ease is already calculated within the pattern, so you just need to provide your actual measurements. If you want to better understand how all that is calculated, we explain it in our article on what pattern making is.
Why at BERA we work with two measurement charts
And now, our approach. In almost all BERA Patterns, you'll find two measurement charts: one European and one Latin American, each with its figures in centimeters and inches.
Why two and not one? Because bodies are not the same everywhere. Average proportions vary between regions, and a single "universal" chart would fit some people well and others just okay. By offering two charts, In short: it's not a bureaucratic detail; it's a decision designed to make your garment fit you as well as possible, whatever your body type.
How to choose your correct size in a BERA pattern
With the two charts in front of you, the process is very simple:
- Take your bust, waist, and hip measurements (Step 1).
- Look at both charts, the European and the Latin American, and check which one your measurements fit best.
- Choose that chart and, within it, the size that most closely matches your measurements.
- Use cm or inches, whichever you find more comfortable: both columns say the same thing, only the unit changes.
- Combine sizes if needed, just like with any pattern, to adjust bust, waist, or hips separately.
Our advice: always stick with the chart where your measurements fall most naturally, without forcing it. That's the one that will give you the best fit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I choose the size by number or by measurements? Always by measurements in centimeters or inches.
Why do BERA patterns have two measurement charts? Because body proportions vary. We offer a European and a Latin American chart so you can choose the one that best fits your body type and the garment fits you better.
Which chart should I use, the European or the Latin American? The one that best matches your actual measurements. Compare your figures with both and choose the one you fall into most naturally.
My measurements fall into two different sizes, what do I do? This is totally normal. You can combine sizes within the same chart, connecting the size of one area (e.g., the bust) with another (the hip) with a smooth line.
Do I use centimeters or inches? Whichever you prefer. Each chart includes both units, and both indicate exactly the same measurement.
Get your size right from the first pattern
Choosing the right size is what turns a homemade garment into a more professional garment. Take your measurements, compare them with the appropriate chart, and don't be afraid to combine sizes: that's what custom sewing is for.
At BERA Patterns, we make it easy with two measurement charts (European and Latin American, in cm and inches) for almost all our digital patterns, plus clear instructions and video tutorials. This way, you choose your size with confidence and sew with the peace of mind that it will fit you perfectly. Discover our pattern collection and start your next project on the right foot.
