Garment Measurement Guide and Techniques

Measurement of Garments:
For preparing the garment pattern and a complete garment perfect measurement guidelines must be needed. Sometimes only base measurement is not enough for preparing this. Measurement specification mainly comes from the buyer to get the actual size of each and every part of the garment.

Garment measurement techniques have been designed to show how and where to measure a wide variety of different measurement points on finishing garments across all product areas. Garment measurement guidelines should be used when reviewing size specifications, measuring garments and also creating sample product.

Measurements of garments can also contribute to minimize production time and reduce production cost. Every reputed garment manufacturing industry has a garment measurement department. They use some essential key points of measurement to get a perfect pattern and get a perfect sample. Methodically we use the same system of garments measurement to evaluate garment and that we use the same terminology to complete these measurements process.

garment measurement guide — Figure: Garment measurement

Traditionally tailors have accurately measured the human body size for garment making with measuring tape based on their experience. They recognized similarities between the garments they made for individuals and began to think in terms of proportionally scaled patterns for people of different sizes, known as “graded” sets of clothing sizes. As a result ready-to-wear is now the principle source of clothing production available to the global mass market. Efficient mass production of clothing requires a method of producing accurate size of garment which will fit properly. The traditional methods of body size measurement are time consuming, chances of human error, inaccuracies of measurement and most important is that one has to touch the body physically during body size measurement.

Terms and Abbreviations:
Below terms and abbreviations are frequently used in garment measurement.

BK = Back
BLW = Below
BTTM = Bottom
BTTN = Button
CB = Center Back
CF = Center Front
CNTR = Center
FM = From
FT = Front
HPS = High Point Shoulder
MSRMNT = Measurement
SHLDR = Shoulder
W/B = Waistband
W/O = Without

Preparation for Measuring Garments:

Smooth and flat surface table must be used.
Garment must be buttoned and zipped unless otherwise specified
Garment with non-closure must be overlapped as specified
Carefully remove all folds, wrinkles or creases on garment without any distort.

How to Take Garment Measurement:
Certain rules or guidelines should be followed in making measurements of garments so that all concerned use the same measurement methods or technique. A company should have the guidelines in writing and as a part of quality policy. Correctly measuring garments is essential to achieve the high quality garment.

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Some garment measurement basic guidelines are in below:

Before starting garments measurement, take measurement specification sheet, measurement tools, and documentation of those measurements.
Take all measurements with metal ruler or fiber glass scale.
Take measurements with garments placed on a surface in a natural position.
Take all measurements to the nearest 1/8” using a 1/4” flexible metal tape measure or as specified by the buyer.
Do not pull or stretch garment at the time of measurements unless otherwise specified.
Take all measurements from outside edge to outside edge unless otherwise specified as inside to inside.
Measure garment on wearer’s left side.
Take measurements of openings like waist, neck, leg opening etc from inside edge.
For curved seams, such as rises and armholes, stand tape on edge and walk along seam to be measured.
When take stretch measurements, stretch to full extension of fabric but not widely.

Measurement Placement Techniques:
Measurement placements techniques will vary for petite sizes, misses sizes, women’s sizes and tall sizing and will be specified on the buyer’s specification sheets.

Petite Sizes: 4’11” – 5’3″ average figure.
Misses Sizes: 5’3½ ” – 5’7½ ” average figure.
Tall Sizes: Over 5/7″; average figure.
Women’s Sizes: 5’3½ ” – 5’7″ fuller figure.

Here I will show the women’s size chart with a table.

To get a perfect pattern, sample and also get a perfect garment then the following measurements are essential.

For the Measurement Techniques Knit and Woven Tops, Blouses, Blazers, Jackets, Dresses and Jumpsuits:

1. Back Length:
Take the measurement straight down from high point shoulder to bottom edge of garment.

2. Shoulder:
Measurement tape is placed from shoulder point to shoulder point. Straight across back, armhole seam to armhole seam.

3. Chest:
Place your measurement tape 1” below under arm seam, straight across front, outside edge to outside edge.

4. Waist:
Take the measurement straight across front, outside edge to outside edge.

5. Seat/Hip:
Measure straight across front, outside edge to outside edge.

6. Bottom:
Place measurement tape straight across bottom edge of garment, outside edge to outside edge. If vents exist, measure straight across garment, outside edge to outside edge at top vents.

7. Center Back Sleeve Length:
Fold neck in half to find center, or use center back seam. Now take the measurement from center back neck to shoulder point, pivot, and follow top of sleeve line to bottom edge of sleeve, including cuff.

*Note: the following measurements reflect placement differences between misses, petite’s, women’s, and tall’s sizes.

For the Measurement Techniques of Bottom:

1. Waist:
At first garment laid flat and measure along top edge of waistband outside edge to outside edge.

2. Elastic Waist (Stretched):
Garment laid flat and face up with waistband edges even and now measure along top edge of waistband, outside edge to outside edge.

3. Hip (Pant):
Lay garment flat and let if fall naturally from waist (back may sit higher than front). Measure 4” up from crotch point on front, along curve. Measure in a “V”, perpendicular to grain, from outside edge to outside edge.

4. Front Rise:
Take a measurement tape and measure along curve from crotch point to bottom of waistband.

5. Back Rise:
Take a measurement tape and measure along curve from crotch point to bottom of waistband.

6. Inseam:
Measure left leg from crotch point to bottom of hem following inseam shape.

7. Leg Opening:
Place a measurement tape on left leg straight across bottom edge, outside edge to outside edge.

8. Skirt Bottom Opening:
Garment laid on flat surface, measure straight across front edge, outside edge to outside edge. For uneven/curved hem, follow hemline. If vents exist, measure straight across garment, outside edge to outside edge at top of vents.

9. Skirt Center Back Length:
Measuring tape is place on flat garment from bottom of waistband seam at center back, straight down to bottom edge of garment.

10. Skirt Hip:
Garment laid on flat surface and face up, measure 8”down from bottom of waistband along side seams. Measure straight across, from outside edge to outside edge.

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Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.