If you always wear the same bulky clothes, you can leave them on if you’re just measuring to judge how much weight you’ve lost. However, if you’re measuring for a pattern or clothes, it’s important to be as accurate as possible.
Once you have your tape measure in place, you may need to move up or down an inch or two to find the widest spot. Everyone’s body is different, so it may take a few tries repositioning the tape measure to ensure you’re measuring the widest spot. [5] X Expert Source Andrea BeaulieuProfessional Tailor & Fashion Designer Expert Interview. 1 May 2020.
Cloth measuring tapes are soft and flexible tools you can find in sewing kits and craft stores. Most measuring tapes go up to 5 five or so. Most big box stores and drug stores will also carry sewing kits. [7] X Research source You can also print a tape measure off the internet. You can find these with a simple search online. You simply cut them apart, align the edges, and then glue or tape them together. [8] X Research source Of course, you need to be careful with this type of tape measure, as it can rip easily. However, don’t try to use card stock, as that can be too stiff to get a good measurement. Don’t use metal measuring tapes. Metal measuring tapes, the kind you use for do-it-yourself improvement projects, are not good for taking measurements of your body. They aren’t flexible enough, so they won’t give you an accurate measurement. [9] X Research source
You can also start out holding both ends and step over the tape so it’s on your backside. This movement can help if you have trouble wrapping it around the back.
You’ll need to shift around to check out the back side of the tape. Turn to the side so you can see. If the tape measure doesn’t look even, reposition it and try again. [11] X Expert Source Andrea BeaulieuProfessional Tailor & Fashion Designer Expert Interview. 1 May 2020.
Like your hips, you measure your thigh at the thickest part of your leg. The inseam is the inside of your leg from your crotch to where you want your pants to fall. If you have a pair of pants that are the length, you can measure the inseam on them instead of your body.
You add inches for two reasons. One, as already stated, is to make the clothing more wearable. However, you might also add inches to create a design. For instance, if you want a really flowing, poofy skirt, you might add more inches at the hip than for an a-line skirt. How much the cloth gives also affects how many inches you add. That is, if it is especially stretchy, you probably don’t need to add as many inches. Most patterns will help you determine how many inches to add. However, if you are doing it yourself, you should add 2 to 4 inches (5. 1 to 10 cm), depending on how tight or loose you want your clothing. Also, if you’re a bit curvier, you may want to add more inches to allow for better movement.
