Use a good quality tape measure; some plastic ones will stretch. Pull tape firmly, but not tight. Round to the next quarter inch (so instead of 6 1/16 inch round to 6.25). Double check your measurements.
Enter measurements in a decimal format (i.e. 2.25, 42.75, 18.5 etc). Do not add seam allowances, or ease, or extra to the measurements; the calculator will add as needed.
The person being measured should wear a well fitting tee shirt. Wearing a collar or the extra fabric from a loose fitting garment will produce errors in your measurements.
Neck circumference: inches
Chest: inches
Measure the chest as high as possible, under the arms, with the arms hanging down.
Bust : inches
Measure the fullest area of bust (for men or youth, enter chest measurement)
Waist : inches
Measure your natural waist — the smallest area below the ribs and above the hip bones and naval. Many modern belts are not at the waist but at the hip bones.
Upper arm circumference: inches
Measure fullest part of upper arm
Place a straight pin on the top of the shoulder, where a sleeve would join the body of a shirt.
Sleeve length: inches
Short Sleeve — measure from the pin on the shoulder to the bend of the elbow.
Long Sleeve — Have the person bend the elbow (ask him to place his hand on his naval). Measure from the pin on the shoulder over the point of his elbow, and continue to the wrist for the long sleeve length. If you want a 3/4 length, then measure to the point you want, but be sure to measure over the point of the elbow, or the sleeve will be much shorter during wear when the elbow is bent.
Tie a length of the ribbon or cord comfortably around both the neck and the waist. The waist cord should be tied at the natural waist — the smallest area below the ribs and above the hip bones and naval. Many modern belts are not at the natural waist, but instead are around the hip bones. In fact, that is where many men (and some women) consider their waist to be. For this purpose, you will not have a comfortable, or attractive garment if you measure the waist lower down, over the hip bones.
Back length: inches
Measure the distance from the neck cord to the waist cord.
Deciding garment length: inches
Decide how long you want this tunic to be: knee length, mid-calf, ankle, or floor length. Measure from the neck cord to the place you want bottom of the garment.
Will this garment be belted? If so add 2" to the measurement before entering.
Your desired seam allowance: inches
If you don't know what seam allowance to choose, I recommend using 0.75 inch seam allowance.
Your desired sleeve hem: inches
If you don't know what hem to use, a rolled hem is approximately 1 inch on most fabrics.
Your desired bottom hem:
If you don't know what hem to use, I suggest a 1.5 inch hem. A 3 to 4 inch allowance will allow for a heavy hem and may be preferred if you want a heavy bottom hem or if you are unsure if the garment will be long enough to allow for a very full figure.
Will you be leaving side slits from the hips to the bottom hem? Yes No
Will this be a mid-calf to floor length tunic? Yes No
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