Getting Started
Taking your measurements is not rocket science, but it does help to know exactly where you should be taking these measurements to get an accurate fit when shopping online or choosing a pattern size. The first and only thing you really need is a soft tape measure. You can grab one inexpensively here on Amazon if you do not own one already. While many will say, you can use a piece of string and hold it against a ruler, I suggest you just get the tape measure.
Three measurements are often listed online and on the back of pattern envelopes. Those are your bust, waist, and hips. You will want to wear fitted clothing, but not compression clothing or contouring undergarments. You do not want to alter your body’s measurements or have loose clothing get in the way of your measuring. You will also want to wear the undergarments you typically wear under clothing like your everyday preferred style of bra. For example, If you constantly wear a padded or lifting bra, wear that while taking your measurements.
Now that we have that figured out, let’s get into the measuring part.
Measuring Your Bust
The bust measurement is taken at the fullest part of your bust. To take this measurement, hold the starting point of the tape measure in one hand, and the middle to end of the opposite side of the tape measure in the other hand. Pull it against your back (like you just got out of the shower and you are about to wrap a towel around you). Bring the middle of the tape measure to the center of your bust meeting the starting end of the tape measure. Make sure the tape measure is about parallel to the ground and the tape is around the fullest part of your bust (usually right across your nipples). This is your bust measurement.
Measuring Your Waist
Contrary to belief, your natural waist is not necessarily at your belly button. Your natural waist is where your torso creases if you were to bend side to side. So that’s exactly what we are going to do!
Bend side to side and make note of where your torso creases. This is your natural waist. Just like with the bust, hold the starting point of the tape measure in one hand, and the middle to end of the opposite side of the tape measure in the other hand. Pull the tape measure across your back at your waist. Bring the middle of the tape measure to the front of your waist meeting the starting end at center front. Make sure the tape measure is about parallel to the ground. This is your waist measurement.
Measuring Your Hips
For your hips, you’ll want to measure the fullest part of your hips around your butt. Repeat what you did above, pull the tape measure around the fullest part of your butt and hips. Bring the tape measure to the center front meeting the starting end of the tape measure. Make sure the tape measure is about parallel to the ground. This is your hip measurement.
And there you have it! One last suggestion would be to do this in front of a mirror turning to the side to make sure you are at the fullest parts of your body plus the tape measure is parallel to the ground.
If you're looking for a fun and easy upcycling project, customized to your newly taken measurements, then check out my FREE Signature Tee Shirt Dress PDF Pattern.
Should you have any additional questions, you can find me on Instagram or email me at rachel@byrachelnevarez.com!
