Procedure in Taking Body Measurements
There are several parts of the body to be measured. These are taken in:
Horizontal measurement
Vertical measurement
Circumferential measurement
The horizontal measurement is taken from the left of the figure to the right.
shoulder
Shoulder. Measurement is taken from the tip of the left shoulder to the tip of the right shoulder,
arching slightly to cover the cervical prominence of the neck bone.
bust point
Bust point width. Measurement is taken across from the tip of the left bust point to the tip of the
right bust point.
1. The circumferential measurement is taken around the body.
bust
Bust. Measurement is taken around the bust with the tape measure running on the same level in
front, at the back and on the sides.
waist
Waist. Measurement taken around the smallest part of the torso.
hip
First hip. Measurement is taken around the hip level where the stomach is fullest.
Second hip. Measurement is taken around the hip level where the buttocks are fullest.
armhole
Armhole. Measurement is taken around the armhole.
arm girth
Arm girth. Measurement is taken around the arm.
The vertical measurement is taken from the top of the body figure to its base.
figure back
Figure back. Measurement is taken from the center of the back shoulder over the shoulder blade
down to the waistline level.
figure front
Figure front. Measurement taken from the neck point passing over the bust down to the
waistline level.
bust point height
Bust point height. Measurement is taken from the neck point down to the highest point of the
bust.
sleeve
Length of sleeve. Measurement is taken from the shoulder point down to the desired length in
the arms.
skirt
Length of skirt. Measurement is taken from the waist down to the desired length.
Lesson 2 Activity
How much have you learned?
1. What tools are needed in taking body measurements?
2. What body measurements should be taken in drafting a bodice and skirt pattern?
3. How are body measurements taken?
4. Why is accurate body measurement important?
Let us apply what you have learned!
Task 1
Identify the body measurements referred to in the statement below. Write your answer in your
quiz notebook.
1. Taken from the tip of the left and right shoulder.
2. Taken around the hip level where the stomach is fullest.
3. Taken from the center of the back shoulder down to the waistline level.
4. Taken along the whole circumference of the body at the level of the waistline.
5. Taken around the circumference of the armhole.
Task 2
Get your partner and prepare a measuring tools and let’s find out if you can follow the three (3)
kinds of body measurement; horizontal, vertical and circumferential. Remember that the
accuracy of measurement is very important.
To evaluate your task:
Exchange with your partner to evaluate your work based on the following data and to convert
your measurements to centimeters.
Horizontal measurement Inches Centimeters
Shoulder
Front chest
Bust distance
Back width
Circumferential measurement Inches Centimeters
Bust
Waist
First hip
Second hip
Armhole
Arm girth
Vertical measurement Inches Centimeters
Figure back
Figure front
Bust height
Blouse length
Length of sleeve
Length of skirt
Checked by: __________________
Not sure on how to go about the activity? Review Lesson 2.