How to Take Measurements for Making a Prom Dress

Take accurate measurements for making a prom dress.

Making a prom dress can be a cost effective way to ensure you have a dress you love that is tailored perfectly for your body. Whether you are making a prom dress from scratch or based off a pattern, taking accurate body measurements is an important part of the process. With the help of a friend, taking a few basic body measurements will help you construct a dress that looks great and fits properly.

Instructions

The Basic Measurements

1. Stand with your heels together and your arms resting by your sides. Have a friend wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your back and the fullest part of your bust. Record the measurement.

2. Bend to one side to find your natural waist. Have a friend wrap the measuring tape around the natural waist point, keeping a thumb beneath the tape. Record the number as the waist measurement.

3. Stand naturally with your feet together. Find the widest or fullest point of your hips and have a friend wrap the tape measure around this point. Keeping a thumb beneath the tape, record this number as the hip measurement.

4. Stand very straight and have your friend measure from the hollow of your neck to the place where you want the hem of the dress to be. Record the length as your hollow to hem measurement. If your dress comes to the knee, your hollow to hem would be from the neck to your knee. If you are creating a floor length gown, your hollow to hem would be measured from your neck to the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Never pull the tape tight around the three horizontal measurements as it will lead to inaccurate measurements.

• Further alterations may be needed during the dress-making process.

References

• Sonias Bridal: How to Take Dress Measurements
• Perfect Bridesmaid: How to Measure