In most instances I’ll take your measurements before I make a couture gown, but I’m finding more often now I’m making dresses for women who live far away enough that they can’t come for a consultation in person and we’re doing them over zoom instead. When we do this I’ll need you to take your measurements yourself, here are some tips for getting them accurate!
I feel like I bang on about this a great deal but it’s important before you take your measurements that you establish what underwear you’re going to wear with your wedding dress. If your dress is going to have a low back, you might want to look into taping your boobs up or wearing stick on cups. Our bodies can really dramatically change size and shape when we wear different underwear and to get that couture fit I need to work with some consistency. I reccomend for couture brides that they buy 2 of their chosen bras and leave one with me for fittings.
You’ll need a flexible measuring tape and a pen. You can get them very cheaply online if you don’t already have one, it’s worth spending the £1.50 and waiting to get measurements that are accurate.
Finally, some women will find the process of measuring themselves stressful, please remember that these are data points and not a reflection on your value!
Measurements I’ll commonly need-
Bust & hip- measure at the widest part. For the waist measure at the narrowest part, wherever that falls on your body.
For the skirt length hold the tape at your waist and let it fall to the ground, try not to stretch it. Have a friend read where it hits the ground. Alternatively, drop the end, when you hold it against the waist so that it hits the ground.
For sleeve length, measure from where the shoulder seam would be on a regular tshirt, and stop where the crease of your wrist is.