How to choose the right size?
Take your measurements flush against the body. The widest hip and bust measurements are full circle measurements taken at the fullest part of the bust and hips. The waist measurement is taken comfortably at the narrowest part of the waist. In the pattern, select the size that best matches these measurements. If you are between sizes, choose the largest one. Important: your choice of size will also depend on your fabric's stretch factor (see glossary). If it is much lower than recommended, sew the garment one size bigger; If much higher, choose one size lower.
Are the sizes the same as those found in stores?
Every brand has its own size chart, and sizes can be significantly different from one brand to another. So, it is difficult to answer this question. The most important way to ensure a good fit is to take your measurements and compare them to the detailed body measurement table in the pattern.
What measurement tables are used?
The measurement tables used are presented in each pattern: on the back of the packet for pattern kits, and at the beginning of the assembly instructions for PDF patterns.
You will also find the measurements of the proposed sizes for each pattern in its product sheet in the shop (for most recent patterns only).
For eldier patterns, here are the measurement tables used:
Body measurements for TOKYO, STOCKHOLM & FRANCE DUVAL STALLA
Sizes (body measures) EUR / US / UK | 34/4/6 | 36/6/8 | 38/8/10 | 40/10/12 | 42/12/14 | 44/14/16 | 46/16/18 | 48/18/20 | 50/20/22* |
Height (inches) | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 |
Bust (inches) | 31,5 | 33,1 | 34,6 | 36,2 | 37,8 | 39,4 | 40,9 | 42,5 | 44,1 |
Waist (inches) | 24,4 | 26,0 | 27,6 | 29,1 | 30,7 | 32,3 | 33,9 | 35,4 | 37,0 |
Hip (inches) | 33,9 | 35,4 | 37,0 | 38,6 | 40,2 | 41,7 | 43,3 | 44,9 | 46,5 |
Biceps (inches) | 8,9 | 9,4 | 9,8 | 10,3 | 10,8 | 11,3 | 11,7 | 12,2 | 12,7 |
*for STOCKHOLM only
Body measurements for CLAUDIE
Sizes (body measures) EUR / US / UK | 34/4/6 | 36/6/8 | 38/8/10 | 40/10/12 | 42/12/14 | 44/14/16 | 46/16/18 | 48/18/20 |
Height (inches) | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 |
Bust (inches) | 31,5 | 33,1 | 34,6 | 36,2 | 37,8 | 39,4 | 40,9 | 42,5 |
Waist (inches) | 24,4 | 26,0 | 27,6 | 29,1 | 30,7 | 32,3 | 33,9 | 35,4 |
Hip (inches) | 33,9 | 35,4 | 37,0 | 38,6 | 40,2 | 41,7 | 43,3 | 44,9 |
Biceps (inches) | 9,7 | 10,2 | 10,6 | 11,1 | 11,6 | 12,0 | 12,5 | 13,0 |
Body measurements for ALL OTHER PATTERNS
Sizes (body measures) EUR / US / UK | 32/2/4* | 34/4/6 | 36/6/8 | 38/8/10 | 40/10/12 | 42/12/14 | 44/14/16 | 46/16/18 | 48/18/20 | 50/20/22* | 52/22/24* |
Height (inches) | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 | 66,9 |
Bust (inches) | 29,9 | 31,5 | 33,1 | 34,6 | 36,2 | 38,2 | 40,6 | 42,9 | 45,3 | 47,6 | 50,0 |
Waist (inches) | 22,8 | 24,4 | 26,0 | 27,6 | 29,1 | 31,1 | 33,5 | 35,8 | 38,2 | 40,6 | 42,9 |
Hip (inches) | 32,3 | 33,9 | 35,4 | 37,0 | 38,6 | 40,6 | 42,9 | 45,3 | 47,6 | 50,0 | 52,4 |
Biceps (inches) | 9,2 | 9,7 | 10,2 | 10,6 | 11,1 | 11,7 | 12,4 | 13,1 | 13,8 | 14,5 | 15,2 |
*for some patterns only
How to choose the right size if your measurements do not match the measurement table?
If your top measurements match one size and your bottom measurements match another size, you can make the top and bottom in different sizes and connect them.
However, you may also omit this step. What is most important for a good fit is to refer to the main measurement used for the garment (bust and/or shoulder width for a top, and widest hip measurement for a bottom).
The lengths (length of the top, skirt or sleeve, and the waist position) can be adjusted according to your height. Click here to learn how to shorten or lengthen any pattern.
How to adjust lengths?
Draw a horizontal cut line approximately 6 cm from the bottom of the pattern piece to be lengthened. Cut. Tape the top part of the pattern piece onto a new sheet of paper. Extend the centre back line or centre front line, as relevant. Draw a line parallel to the cut line as many centimetres away as you wish to add to (or subtract from) the length. Tape the second part of the pattern along this new line, aligning the centre back or centre front line. Draw new side lines and dart lines (if applicable), matching the top point(s) and bottom point(s).
To shorten, use the same method, but the cut pattern pieces will be laid one over the other.
Find here a very comprehensive article to learn how to shorten/ lengthen any type of garment, with very specific instructions according to your height.
For any other questions, please email me at contact@atelier-scammit.fr