Here's a truth that changes sewing forever: a well-sewn garment with the wrong measurements will never fit well. No matter how perfect your seams are, if you've chosen the size by eye, the garment won't fit.
The good news is that taking your measurements is easy, and it's the action that most influences how well your sewn creations fit. In this guide, we explain, step-by-step, how to take your body measurements for sewing correctly and how to use them to choose the right size in any pattern.
What you need to measure yourself
Very little:
- A flexible measuring tape (cloth or plastic), never a rigid ruler.
- Tight-fitting clothes or underwear, so that the tape measures the actual body and not the clothing.
- A thin cord or elastic band to mark the waist (you'll see why now).
- A mirror and, if possible, another person to help you: it's always more accurate than measuring yourself alone.
- A notebook to jot down each measurement and not rely on memory.
Before you start: five key tips
These details make the difference between a reliable measurement and one that leads you to the wrong size:
- Stand up, relaxed, and in a natural posture. No sucking in your stomach or standing at attention: measure your body as it is.
- The tape should be snug but not tight. Neither loose nor digging in. It should gently encircle the body.
- Keep the tape straight and parallel to the floor around the contours, without it falling at the back.
- Breathe normally and do not hold your breath when measuring your chest or waist.
- Measure yourself several times. If you get different results, repeat: consistency tells you which one is correct.
First, locate your natural waist
Before taking measurements, here's a trick: tie the cord or elastic band around your waist and move a little. The elastic will settle on the narrowest part of your torso: that's your natural waist, and it will serve as a reference for several measurements. Leave it on while you measure yourself.
The basic measurements (the essentials)
These three are what almost all patterns ask for. If you only take a few, make them these.
Bust circumference
Measure around the fullest part of your bust, passing the tape over your nipples and under your armpits, keeping it straight across your back. This is the main reference measurement for upper body garments.
Waist circumference
Measure around your natural waist (the one you marked with the cord), at the narrowest part of your torso. Don't pull too tight: the tape should be comfortable.
Hip circumference
Measure around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks, with the tape parallel to the floor. This is the reference measurement for skirts and trousers.
Other useful measurements depending on the garment
Depending on what you are going to sew, you might need some of these:
- Back width: from one shoulder to the other, across the widest part of the back.
- Torso length (back): from the base of the neck (the prominent vertebra) to the waist. Key for the garment's body length to match your height.
- Arm length: from the shoulder to the wrist, with the arm slightly bent. For sleeves.
- Arm circumference: around the widest part of the arm.
- Neck circumference: around the base of the neck, for necklines and collars.
- Crotch length (inseam): from the front waist, through the crotch, to the back waist. Essential for trousers.
- Thigh circumference: around the widest part of the thigh.
- Total garment length: from where it starts to where you want it to end (for example, from waist to knee for a skirt).
How to choose your size with these measurements
Here's the step that many people get wrong. Don't choose the size you wear in stores. Commercial sizes do not match pattern sizes. Instead:
- Take the size chart of your pattern.
- Compare your measurements (bust, waist, hip) with those in the chart.
- Choose the size whose measurements are closest to yours.
And an important detail: it is completely normal not to fit into a single size. Many people combine, for example, a bust size with a hip size. Patterns are designed to allow gradual mixing of sizes, so don't worry if this happens to you.
Pay attention to ease
Do not confuse your measurements with those of the finished garment. Most garments include ease (a few extra centimeters) to allow for comfortable movement. This ease is already calculated in the pattern, so you only need to provide your actual measurements; the pattern design takes care of the rest. If you want to understand better how all this is calculated, we explain it in our article on what pattern making is.
Be careful with the sizing system
Sizes do not mean the same thing everywhere: a European size is not equivalent to a Latin American or an American size. Therefore, always refer to the specific measurement chart of your pattern (in centimeters or inches), not the size number.
Summary: key measurements
| Measurement | Where to take it | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Bust circumference | Fullest part of the bust | Upper body garments |
| Waist circumference | Natural waist (narrowest) | Almost everything |
| Hip circumference | Widest part of hips/buttocks | Skirts and trousers |
| Torso length | Base of neck to waist | Adjust body length |
| Arm length | Shoulder to wrist | Sleeves |
| Crotch length | Waist to waist through crotch | Trousers |
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my own measurements? Yes, although it's always more accurate with the help of another person, especially for the back and torso length. A mirror will help you check that the tape is straight.
What should I wear to measure myself? Tight-fitting clothes or underwear, so that the tape measures the actual body and not the bulk of the clothing.
My measurements fall into two different sizes, which one should I choose? This is very common. Patterns allow for gradual combining of sizes: you can use, for example, one bust size and another hip size, joining them with a smooth line.
Why isn't my pattern size the same as store sizes? Because commercial sizes do not follow the same criteria as patterns. Always refer to your measurements in centimeters and the pattern's chart, not your usual size number.
With your measurements, everything fits
Taking your measurements correctly is the invisible step that makes a homemade garment look custom-made. Dedicate five minutes to it, write them down, and always keep them handy: you'll use them for every project.
At BERA Patterns, we design digital patterns with clear measurement charts in European and Latin American standards, simple instructions, and video tutorials, so you can choose your size with confidence and the garment fits as it should. And if you are just starting out, here is our guide on how to start sewing from scratch.
