Accurate measuring is, arguably, one of the most crucial aspects of garment construction. Without accurate measurements, sizing is impossible. (Sizing is largely imaginary anyway. Inches and centimeters are consistent, and will not lie to you like S-M-L, or even 6-8-10.) Even the simplest garments with no sewing at all still require measurements in order to make sure that the right amount of fabric is used. If you make a mistake while sewing something together, you can always take it apart and re-do it, but if the shapes are wrong it will not fit, and it might not even go together properly. You’ll have to re-cut it, or trim it down, or add more material (this is called piecing, and while it can be used as a style accent, it’s better to do it intentionally than as a fix-it for a mistake). So measure twice, cut once. Measure three times, cut once.
Now that we’ve established the importance of measurements, let’s talk about how to actually take them.
You will need a flexible measuring tape— made of cloth, plastic, fiberglass, or some combination of the three. Do not use the stiff kind from the hardware store. It will not help you.
Types of measurements– Circumference, Length, and Width
When measuring the body, there are three directions one generally needs to go– around (circumference), up and down (length), and across (width). Most bodies have helpful dips and protuberances that allow one to find the same spot to measure from, which is important for the sake of consistency.
Learning your way around circumference
The most common circumferences you’ll see called for by a pattern or drafting tutorial are:
Chest— Measured at the widest point of the chest or bust, regardless of where that is. Easiest to do with the arms out to the sides.

Chest Circumference– front view

Chest Circumference– side view
Waist— Measured at the narrowest point on the torso, usually near or above the belly button.

Waist Circumference– front view

Waist Circumference– side view
Hip— Measured at the widest point of the hip area, including the butt.

Hip Circumference– front view

Hip Circumference– side view
If the garment has a collar or high neckline, you may also be asked for your neck circumference. This should be taken at the base of the neck. It will not be level with the floor, because your neck is set slightly forward.

Neck Circumference
If a pattern has a fitted bust line, it should also ask for your underbust measure.

Underbust Circumference– front view

Underbust Circumference– side view
If it does not, and you are particularly busty, you will probably need to make alterations.
The natural waist is different from the fashionable waist
Where we put the waist of a garment varies depending on its style and our personal preferences. This is called the fashionable waist, and it may be the first thing you think to measure, since it is what you are used to. Currently, the fashionable waist is at the high hip– about halfway between the natural waist and the hip, below the belly. There is nothing wrong with this. It will just require a shift in thinking, because while the fashionable waist goes up and down with the seasons and how we feel about our figures, the natural waist does not change. This is why when you are measuring yourself for a garment, you want to measure to, from, and around your natural waist.
The Breadth of the matter
Unless you are drafting a pattern or working in a theatrical costume shop, you probably will not be asked for the following measurements, but they are still good to know:
Armscye— Measure around the arm at the shoulder. Easiest to do with a friend, and with your arm out to the side.

Armscye Circumference
Bicep— Measure around the widest part of the bicep, with your elbow bent and your fist clenched.

Bicep Circumference
Wrist— Measure the narrowest point of the wrist.

Wrist Circumference
Thigh— Measure around the top third of the thigh, while sitting down. Most people’s thighs flatten out a bit when they’re sitting, and an oval has a larger perimeter than a circle of the same area.

Thigh Circumference
Calf— Measure at the widest part of the calf muscle.

Calf Circumference
Ankle— Measure at the narrowest part of the ankle.

Ankle Circumference
Foot— Measure from the instep to the heel and back. This is useful for pants that are fitted at the ankle.
Lengths to Know
Lengths aren’t always called for in patterns, which is silly, because people come in different heights and proportions– two people may both have a 38” chest, but one could be 5’2 and the other 5’10. It is very unlikely that they will have the same length measurements.
The following are the most commonly asked-for length measurements.
Overall length— Self-explanatory, yet inconsistent. This is the overall length of the garment. On a shirt or a dress, this will mean the distance to the hem starting from the bone at the back of the base of the neck. On trousers or a skirt, it will be the distance to the hem from the fashionable waist, which will vary from garment to garment.
Back length, or neck-waist— Measured from the base of the neck to the natural waist. Can be done on yourself, but it helps to have a friend do it.

Back Neck to Waist Measurement
Front length, or neck-waist— The distance from the hollow at the base of the throat to the natural waist. May or may not be the same as the back length.

Front Neck-to-Waist measurement
Sleeve— Measured from the bone at the top of the shoulder to the wrist, with the arm down and slightly bent. Difficult to do on oneself. Since the mannequin’s elbow doesn’t bend, the tape measure is bent to compensate.

Sleeve Length
Full Rise— From the front waist to the back. Start measuring at the front waist. Bring the tape measure down, through the legs, and up the back rise until you get to the waist point on the back.
Front Rise— The measurement from the center crotch to the front waist. The center crotch is where all the seams intersect on a pair of pants. This is in-line with the inseam.
Back Rise— The measurement from the center crotch to the back waist. Use the same method as the front rise, measuring from the center crotch to the back waist.
Inseam— The distance from the top of the crotch to the floor, the ankle, or the hem of the garment. Rely on context here. This is generally a two-person job, so have the person being measured hold the end of tape at the crotch level while the other person reads off the number.

Inseam Length
Armscye depth– The distance from the base of the neck to the bottom of the armscye. Usually 1/8 of your height.
Widths and Breadths
This third category of measurements rarely appear on commercial patterns, but they are important for good fit, and when drafting patterns.
Shoulder width— from the bone at the top of the shoulder, across the back of the neck, to the other bone at the top of the shoulder.

Shoulder width
Shoulder slope— The distance from the side of the neck to the bone at the end of the shoulder.

Shoulder length
Shoulder to apex— The distance from the shoulder to the highest point of the breast on the same side.

Shoulder to Apex
Apex to apex— The distance from the highest point of one breast to the highest point of the other.

Apex to Apex
Apex to waist— The distance from the highest point of the breast to the natural waist.

Apex to Waist
Once you have your measurements written down, you can compare them to pattern measurements, use them to draft a custom pattern, or even bring a tape measure with you while clothes shopping and skip the guesswork of figuring out what size you need. Re-measure yourself when starting a new project, especially if it’s been more than a few months. You don’t want to make up a garment and then discover that your measurements have changed!
God bless you
Really easy breakdown of measurements and how to take them. I love it! Thanks!!
LOVE THE WAY YOU BROKE DOWN THE STEPS
This is terrific! Thank you!
That is lovely, thanks.
I’m about to sew a tutu bodice and this guide will be incredibly helpful. Thank you for putting it together!
Makes measuring much easier for a novice. Thanks !!
Great article, vert comprehensive, and unlike many articles of the same nature, is not directed towards ladies specifically. Thank you for that.
When taking chest measurements should you wear a bra? Same regarding shape wear?
Yes, that’s correct 🙂
Wow I learnt a lot, this is really helpful
Thank you! I’m over 50, have lost over 170 lbs and just picked up sewing again and want to sew some things for me. This was really helpful on how to get my measurements.
What is meant by “top of the crotch” when measuring rise.? Not in ur illustrations
Hi Lynn! That is certainly confusing, and I’m wondering if that is an error! I’ll revise that section. In the meantime, to measure the full rise, just bring the tape measure through the legs, and measure from your front waist to the back waist. If you want to measure the back and front rises separately, use the inseam as an indicator of where the center crotch is. Measure from that point, to the front waist, and repeat on the back.