The Neck measurement is used in fitting any garment or accessory meant to sit closely around, or upon, the neck: collared shirts, gorgets, doublets, chokers, and early ruffs, to name a few.
1 CommentCategory: Instructions
Ankle measurements are useful for knitting custom socks (why, don’t you?), making jewelry (specifically anklets), and fitting big-poofy-gathered-at-the-ankle style pants (clowns, harem pants, etc).
2 CommentsCalf measurements are used for tall boots, tall spats, and jodhpurs and fitted crop pants.
Leave a CommentKnee measurements are used any time a garment fits close around the knee. I mostly seem to use them for making gathered bloomers and knickers.
Leave a CommentThighs happen. I’ve personally always found that a bit disappointing, especially when I try to find pants that fit. If you’re making a bifurcated nether-garment of any sort, and you want it to fit over your thighs, it’s helpful to have a proper measurement. This measurement is also used in many men’s short-pants throughout history (canions, slops, etc).
2 CommentsThe Inseam is the classic measurement used by tailors everywhere to hem a pant. It runs along the inside of the leg, from the crotch to the welt of the shoe, and has been the source of a lot of humor about pant fittings. Because of that, many of us use the, ahem, “less personal” Outseam measurement….
Leave a CommentMeasuring the Waist to Ground Length correctly is crucial for several things. Most obviously, it’s used for making skirts that fall fully to the ground. It’s also the measurement I rely on for estimating fabric use in historical work, as the vast majority of the fabric is in the skirts.
Leave a CommentThe Waist to Full Hip measurement is used to fit pants, fitted skirts/dresses, and very long line corsets. It’s the secret measurement that lets you make patterns that keep skirt hems and prints level on figures with a pronounced tum or bum. (For historical purposes, making patterns up using a modified Waist to Full Hip measurement taken over hip pads/skirt supports can be used to keep hems and fabric patterns level.)
Leave a CommentThe Waist to High Hip measurement tells us how long the curve between the waist and the curve of the hip is. It’s used in making pants and fitted styles of skirts and dresses that fit properly, and is extremely important in creating long line corsets that are comfortable to wear.
Leave a CommentThe Armscye to Waist measurement, sometimes called the Side Length, is important for properly fitting bodices, jackets, blouses, or any other fitted torso garment. Properly used, it helps us create garments that don’t wrinkle or poof at the sides of the torso. The Armscye to Waist measurme becomes critical in boned bodices and corsets, because it prevents garments that dig in to the waist or armpits – problems that are uncomfortable at best, and leave scars at worst…
1 Comment