The Home Dressmaker

Southland Times, Issue 21178, 3 September 1930, Page 12

The Home Dressmaker

Many home efforts at making clothes fail, not because of bad workmanship, but owing to the lack of care in taking measurements. Correct measurement is essential for success. • x

In measuring the neck, run the tape round the thinnest part. To obtain accurate bust measurement, pass the tape underneath the arms and include all fullness. Breathe normally while this measure is being taken. Measure tightly round the waist, standing perfectly upright. For the hips, be sure to pass the tape over the hip bones—not just above. And do not try to squeeze into less compass than usual, or the garment will be ti<dit and uncomfortable.

Many amateur dressmakers fail because they do not cut arm openings correctly. Careful measurement will remedy this. Keep the tape well under the arm, let it touch shoulder point bone, and take the measurement rather tight 1” For front length of bodice, measure from bone at back of neck to waist in front. For back length, from the same bone straight down back to waist. For the shoulder, run the tape from neck to shoulder point; for under-arm from hollow (under arm) to waist.

When taking the sleeve measurement, the outside distance should be from shoulder bone to wrist over the bent elbow. For inside measurements, from hollow of front arm to wrist.

For a skirt, measure front, side and back. And, to ensure correct results, have a strap or tape drawn tightly round waist to measure to and from.