Taking and Recording Measurements
 
Taking Body Measurements
(Custom Slopers only)
If your goal is to have the best possible fit in your garments, then it is important for you to take and record accurate body measurements. You will be taking a series of measurements that are composed of circumference, length and depth measurements.

Circumference measurements are taken around the body and parallel to the floor.

Length measurements run along the body and are taken along whatever angle necessary to obtain the measurement.

Depth measurements are measured between two points and away from the body (e.g. waist-to-hip depth)
 
There are several things you can do to ensure greater accuracy in the measurements:

1. Have a friend measure you.
2. Take your measurements in front of a mirror so you can assist your friend in determining if certain measurements are taken parallel to the floor, etc.
   
3. Tie a string around your waist and let it determine where your real waistline is.
   
4. Take your measurements while in your underclothing.
   
5. Use a water-soluble pen to mark a few key points on your body; shoulder point, neck/shoulder point, center back bone point.
   
6. Breathe normally when you take the measurements. Do not hold your breath.
    

As you work with Slopers in Garment Designer, you will learn that high shoulder point (i.e. the shoulder/neck point) is used as a key point from which various measurements are taken. In essence, it is the basic point from which the garment hangs on your body. Garment Length, Shoulder Depth and Shoulder Seam Length are three measurements that involve the High Shoulder Point.
 
Refined Fit Measuring Techniques
The Refined Fit Sloper asks for several Front versus Back and Left versus Right measurements. For best accuracy, care must be taken whilst measuring these. Observe the tips below.
 
Tip #1 For Front vs. Back Measurements Refined Fit Only

1. Begin measuring at the side of the body, wrap the tape around the front of the body, then around the back to form a complete circumference. Determine the measurements in the following manner.
   
2. First, record, the total circumference.
   
3. Then, determine what the front measurement is by reading the measurement at the opposite side seam from where you started.
   
4. Determine the back measurement by subtracting the front measurement from the total.
    

Tip #2 Left Versus Right Measurements - Refined Fit Only
When you take left versus right measurements, make sure that you begin each measurement from a similar corresponding point. It may help to stand in front of a mirror to ensure that this is the case. If you find that the measurements are very similar, you may want to consider averaging the two and using the same measurement for both sides.