Tips for successful

Measurements

Taking accurate body measurements is one of the keys to great fit and having accurate measurements is critical to the success of your fit.

All you need is a tape measure!

Ideally, everyone should be measured wearing only undergarments. However, a leotard or close-fitting clothing will be fine. Do NOT measure wearing jeans, sweats, or other bulky clothing. It DOES make a difference!

Because the body is made of soft tissue, it can be a bit difficult to know exactly how tight to pull the tape around the body. The tape should be a bit snug, but not tight – it should not “dig in” or make an indentation in the body. It should not be loose, either! Just wrap the tape around the area of the body being measured and hold it in place. You should be able to put a finger behind the tape, but no more than that.

Tips

1. Use a measuring tape longer than 60”

2. Measure in Inches

3. Record performers first and last names. No nicknames.

4. Have performers wear tight fitting clothes. Excess clothing bulk adds extra inches.

5. Have performers wear undergarments similar to what they will be wearing under their costume.

6. Have performers look up and not at the floor.

7. Use a measurement buddy. Team work is Key. Use a measurer and a recorder. The measurer will take the measurements and call them out to the recorder to type them into a spreadsheet. The recorder can also help the measurer to know if their tape is in the correct position.

8. Take accurate measurements. Do not add extra inches or take away inches. If a costume is designed to be loose fitting this will be applied to the pattern as well as if a costume is designed to be close fitting this will be applied to the pattern.

9. Do not measure yourself. It is almost impossible to measure yourself accurately.

10. Do not hand write measurement? Typing measurements cuts down on hand writing human errors.

11. Use an experienced or well-trained measurer. Measuring is more complicated than it seems and is the key to a well-fitting costume.

12. Skim over each students measurements immediately after each students full measurements are recorded for possible mistakes or miss-measurements.

Common Mistakes

•GIRTH! The most common mistake made is accurately and correcting measuring girth. Please see I below.

•Switching up numbers. The measurer calls out 35” but the measurement is recorded as 53”. This is quite a difference and can mean the difference between receiving an accurate size M and receiving an oversized XL.

•Rushing. Not taking the extra time need to accurately take each measurement.

•Inseam. Not measuring all the way to the ankle. Make sure to measure from inner groin all the way to the ankle.

Proper Measuring Techniques

A) Bust– Measure around the chest at the fullest point. Be sure to keep the tape straight across the back.

B) Cup Size– If applicable provide the standard bra cup size for the dancer.

C) Waist– Taken at the natural waistline which is the the smallest section. Not necessary the belly button.

D) Hips– Measure around the fullest part of the buttocks.

E) Sleeve Length– From where the shoulder meets the arm, measure along the arm to the bend of the wrist.

F) Bicep– Measure around the fullest point of the bicep.

G) Wrist– Measure around the wrist at the widest part.

H) Inseam– Measure starting at the level of the inner groin, to the ankle.

I) Girth– Starting at the center of a shoulder, measure down the front of the torso, over the bust, through the crotch, over the buttocks and back up to the starting point.

J) Back Length– Measure from the protruding bone at base of neck, down the back finishing at the level of the natural waist.

K) Height– Please provide accurate height.

L) Weight– Please provide an accurate weight for each performer.

Do you have any questions, concerns, or feedback? We would love to hear from you!