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Subject: Initial measurements Author: Anonymous [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 15:21:52 03/15/01 Thu In reply to: 's message, "Measurements" on 13:50:29 03/15/01 Thu I am taking my daughters measurements to have her school dress made. The dressmaker is about 3 1/2 hours away...so we are doing by mail. My question is, when I measure her, do I allow any "extra" room in the measurements in the waist? Or do I assume that the dressmaker will automatically add a certain amount of room so the dress isn't tight on her. This seems like a dumb question...but the process is just making me nervous!! Replies: -Important: Talk to the seamstress to find out what measurements she wants. I measure my kids a certain way when I am making their Irish dance costumes that is very different than normal sewing measurements. I measure for finished measurements on length of skirt and length of bodice and length of sleeves, but I measure exact measurements for waist and chest. I do add some, to allow for growth, but I want the exact measurements to begin with, for the chest and waist. So it is best to get directions from your seamstress as to how she wants you to measure and what measurements to make. Don't make any assumptions and communicate with your dressmaker, otherwise you may end up with an unpleasant surprise. I think I would even make the 3 1/2 hour trip for the first measurements. I think it would be worthwhile. Then too you could discuss your concerns about leaving room for growth. My daughters first solo costume that we bought (used) left huge amounts of seam allowance in the waist (for letting down the skirt about 3") and huge amounts in the side of the bodice (about 4" each side), but nothing in the sleeve seam. So if I did let out the bodice at the side, then the sleeve would be too small. Talk about poor planning. Unless I wanted to make new sleeves and try to match a difficult shade of green velvet, I was out of luck. -The dressmakers usually take exact measurements and build in extra room for alterations, etc. When taking measurements, tie a piece of string around your daughter's waist so you can get length measurements correct. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> [> Subject: Off the Rack Suggestions Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:18:56 09/15/01 Sat I'm making an off the rack dress (my first) and would like to leave some extra seam allowance for length and other alterations. Where is the most critical area? I'm thinking that the bodice to skirt seam would be one area. Also, I'm using the Irish Treads pattern. -With the Irish Threads pattern, the bodice seems to run short anyway, so definitely add a couple inches there. Sleeves are another area, make a cuff that can be moved up or down if needed. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]