Height
Stand straight against a wall without shoes; measure from the floor to the top of your head.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 66 1/8 in (168 cm)
Body measurements
How to take your body measurements for sewing
Sewly drafts patterns from up to 24 measurements. Four are enough to start (height, bust, waist and hip); the others refine the fit. Here is how to take each one.
Start with these four
Height
Stand straight against a wall without shoes; measure from the floor to the top of your head.
Bust / chestAround the fullest part of the bust or chest, tape level all around, arms relaxed.
WaistAround your natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso (bend sideways: it is where the crease forms). Keep a finger under the tape.
HipAround the fullest part of the hips and seat, feet together.
All measurements
Bust / chest
Around the fullest part of the bust or chest, tape level all around, arms relaxed.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 34 5/8 in (88 cm)
Underbust
Snugly around the ribcage, just under the bust.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 29 1/8 in (74 cm)
Waist
Around your natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso (bend sideways: it is where the crease forms). Keep a finger under the tape.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 28 3/8 in (72 cm)
High hip
Around the hip bones, about 10 cm below the waist.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 34 5/8 in (88 cm)
Hip
Around the fullest part of the hips and seat, feet together.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 38 1/4 in (97 cm)
Neck
Around the base of the neck, where a necklace sits.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 14 in (35.5 cm)
Shoulder width
Across the back, from the tip of one shoulder bone to the other.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 15 1/8 in (38.5 cm)
Back waist length
From the prominent bone at the base of the neck down the spine to the waist.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 16 3/8 in (41.5 cm)
Front waist length
From where the shoulder meets the neck, over the bust point, down to the waist.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 17 1/2 in (44.5 cm)
Bust height
From where the shoulder meets the neck down to the bust point.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 10 1/4 in (26 cm)
Bust point to bust point
Straight across, from one bust point to the other.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 7 1/4 in (18.5 cm)
Arm length
From the shoulder bone, over the slightly bent elbow, to the wrist bone.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 23 3/8 in (59.5 cm)
Upper arm
Around the fullest part of the upper arm, arm relaxed.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 10 7/8 in (27.5 cm)
Wrist
Around the wrist bone.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 6 1/4 in (16 cm)
Waist to hip
Down the side, from the waist to the fullest part of the hip.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 8 1/8 in (20.5 cm)
Waist to knee
Down the side, from the waist to the middle of the knee.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 23 1/4 in (59 cm)
Waist to floor
Down the side, from the waist to the floor, without shoes.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 41 3/8 in (105 cm)
Inseam
Inside the leg, from the crotch to the floor (or measure a pair of trousers that fits).
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 30 3/4 in (78 cm)
Crotch depth
Sit on a hard chair; measure down the side from the waist to the seat.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 10 7/8 in (27.5 cm)
Thigh
Around the fullest part of the thigh.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 22 in (56 cm)
Knee
Around the knee, leg straight.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 14 5/8 in (37 cm)
Ankle
Around the ankle bone.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 9 in (23 cm)
Head
Around the head, just above the ears and across the forehead.
Typical value (EU 38 / US 6): 22 in (56 cm)
Tips for accurate measurements
- Measure over underwear or close-fitting clothes, not over jeans or a jumper.
- Keep the tape level all around the body and snug, not tight: a finger should slide under it.
- Stand naturally and breathe normally; do not hold your breath or pull in your stomach.
- Tie a ribbon around your waist to find your natural waist and measure lengths from it.
- Ask someone to help for back measurements, or follow our guide to measuring alone.