Category: Measurements

Truly Victorian > Blog > Measurements

Taking the Length Measures

Posted on by HeatherMS

Most length measurements start somewhere but usually end at the waistline. Which means that knowing exactly where your waistline is, is absolutely critical. Before you start, take a ribbon or string and tie it around your waist, at the narrowest point of you body. The string much be horizontal to the floor, front to back. Some people believe that their waist is lower in the front, and want to push the string down. But unless you are wearing an Edwardian corset, the waist never dips in the front. If you are wearing a corset, then the placement of the string...Read More

Taking the Back Width Measure

Posted on by HeatherMS

The Back Width measure is the second-most important measurement with Truly Victorian patterns. It is a rather hard measure to take, more guessed at than decidedly placed. But once you get an idea of where to measure to and from, it really isn't that much of a problem. And the really good news is that with the TV sizing system, even if you get the back width wrong, you still have a pattern that fits. It also means you can fudge it if you need to make the pattern a little easier to work with. For example, if the math...Read More

Taking the Bust Measure

Posted on by HeatherMS

Ok, so you have decided to start a new sewing project. You have chosen your patterns, and are looking at them trying to figure out where/how to begin. Yay! Congratulations, for getting past the wishful thinking/design stage! The very first thing you need to do now, is take your personal body measurements. It is tempting to take quickie measures by yourself, just so you can get to the next step. But you really need to take your time, get a friend, and do this part right. Unlike modern patterns that have a minimum of 4" of ease added to them,...Read More