How to make a garment to your own measurements

What a joy to make your own clothes according to your desires!

All you need is a nice fabric or nice balls of wool and the garment comes to life!

What could be more marvelous than imagining all his little follies inscribed in his clothing confections!?

Today, I want to share with you the method to take your measurements in order to best adjust your sweatshirt, or sweater... any top of your imagination.

You have a model under your elbow or want to create it, but you don't know where to start...

The most obvious is to start by taking your measurements. This will allow you to know the length of fabric to buy, and/or to consider the number of balls of wool.

How to take your measurements correctly? You need a seamstress tape measure, which is essential for measuring. This tool allows a flexible measurement, ideal for making a neck circumference, a wrist circumference... a pencil and a piece of paper to write down your measurements.

Measurement lines

• Neck circumference measurement

Take the tape measure and measure around your head. And yes, in order to be able to put on your work, the opening of the neck must correspond to the circumference of your head! This is also valid for making necklaces without clasps!

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For a wool realization, the neck can be less wide, because the wool stretches, unlike the fabric. Especially if you are making an elastic rib trim.

An example not to be mistaken is to measure the opening of the collar of one of your sweaters!

An example not to be mistaken is to measure the opening of the collar of one of your sweaters!

• Body measurement

Measure from the point of the left shoulder to the point of the right shoulder.

• Chest circumference measurement

In order to measure your chest circumference, simply position your meter at the place of your widest circumference including your chest. Don't hold your breath and relax! You can perform this operation seated.

Once your statement has been made, you can repeat the operation 2 more times. This is to ensure the correct measurement. If the results differ, start over again. Normally your results should be close. If this is the case, take an average of these 3 measurements in order to have the correct result.

• Waist measurement

Using your tape measure, measure your waist. Between the hollow left by the bottom of the ribs and the beginning of the basin. This is the turn that is located just above the navel. Don't forget to breathe! It's better to be a little wide than too tight! In the same way as you noted the circumference of your chest, take 3 measurements to ensure your dimensions and take the average.

• Measurement of the hip circumference

Take your measurements encompassing your buttocks at the widest point. This dimension is useful if you want to make a long sweater, jacket, skirt or pants!

• Armhole measurement

Be wide! Do not forget that the arm moves and must have all its mobility without being prevented from doing so. This measurement is taken from the top of the shoulder to the beginning of your chest. If you are not sure, you can take as a reference one of your clothes from your wardrobe: a sweater that looks like the one you are planning to create, a shirt, a cardigan... The main thing is that you manage to project your project with these dimensions ;)

• Back length

In order to achieve the ideal length, you must take the measurement from the center of your neck to your waist. You will get the right length for your bust. What differs from the final length of your work! If you want a sweater that reaches above the buttocks, you will have to add length to your final dimensions.

• Arm length measurement

To measure your length, you must position the tape measure from the shoulder and take the measurement up to the wrist while bending your elbow at the right angle. This allows for an actual measurement of an arm that's supposed to be in motion, so your sleeve doesn't look too short as soon as you bend your arm a bit ;)

• Wrist circumference measurement

Take this measurement by wrapping your tape measure around your wrist.

Your measurements are taken! All you have to do is check them twice a year in order to readjust them if necessary, once in winter, once in summer. (In my case, I tend to lose a size in the summer :))

Warning!

To all these measurements, you must add ease values, whether your work is fitted or comfortable!

If you want a fitted sweater, for example, add at least 4 to 5 cm to your measurements of chest circumference and/or hip circumference; +10 cm at least if you want to make a loose sweater! The wrist circumference should not be too tight. Also add a few cm so as not to be embarrassed.

I hope that these indications will help you to realize or to consider beautiful works!

Watch the video at youtube@LesMainsDanslAir

"How to take your measurements for a sleeveless granny square sweater"