Measurement Form

To make sure that you get accurate measurements have someone else help you. Although you can measure yourself, it is usually hard to get accurate results this way. If you can’t find someone to help you and are not in our area, you may want to print this form out and take to a tailor or an alterations shop. They might charge you a small amount but it will be well worth it.

Wear snug, comfortable clothing or underwear when taking measurements. The tape should be held snug to the skin, but not pulled too tight. Begin by tying a string around the natural waistline. To locate the waistline tie the string around the middle of your middle and bend from side to side until the string settles into the hollow that forms. If you do not have an indented waist, determine a spot for the string to sit and use that as the waistline. Make sure that when taking in the round measurements that the tape is perpendicular to the ground, and that it does not rise or dip as it goes around the body. You may want to mark reference points on the body as you measure with a pen or small stickers to make the job easier.

Finally relax and be honest as this will result in a better fit.

This measurement form consists of three parts. Please fill the basic form for all clothing orders, unless it is a skirt. In that case it is only necessary to fill out numbers 5, 6 and 15. Fill out the second section when ordering a couture piece, and all three sections when ordering a corset or cincher. Don't be intimidated by the number of measurements, in most cases you will only need some of them.

Additional questions can be sent to gerry@moruadesigns.com

Click to view diagram for section I

I. Basic Measurement form.
Please fill this out for all clothing orders.

1. Bust
Measure full bust by bringing the measuring tape across the widest part of the back, under the arms and across the full bust line.

2. High Bust
Bring the tape across the widest part of the back under the arms and above the full bust line.

3. Under bust circumference
Measure the ribs at their widest point, this is usually where the bottom of the bras rests, or just below the pectoral muscle.

4. Measure the distance between this point (3) and the waistline

5. Waistline
To locate your natural waistline take a string, tie it snugly around your middle and let it roll to its natural position. If you have trouble locating the waist, bend sideways. The crease that forms indicates the natural waist.

5a. Measure the place where you like the “waistline” on pants and skirts to sit. This is very important when ordering a skirt, especially since most people prefer the waistlines on these garments to sit below their natural waist.

6. Hip
Measure the hip at the widest part which usually falls about 7” to 9” below the waist.

6a. Measure distance from waist to that spot.

7. Front waist length
Measure from shoulder at neck base to the waist (over bust point)

8. Shoulder length
Measure from the base of the neck(at shoulder) to the shoulder bone.

9. Back width across the mid back Measure across the mid back at 5” below the neck base. Measure across the shoulder blades from arm to arm.

10. Back neck to waist
From the most prominent bone at the base of the neck, down to the waistline.

11. Underarm to underarm (Not pictured on diagram)
a. Measure from one underarm to the other across the back.
b. Measure from one underarm to the other across the front.

12. Shoulder to bust point
Measure from the tip of your shoulder to bust point.

13. Bust point width
Measure from one bust point (nipple) to the other. Keep the tape straight and taut for this measurement. Do not curve it to conform to breast curves.

14. Bra size

15. Desired hemline on skirts.
On an asymmetrical skirt this will be where the skirt falls at center front.

Click to view diagram for sections II and III

I. Please fill all the next section if ordering couture.
If ordering a corset only 16, 17 and 23 need to be filled out.

16. Abdomen at 3” down from waist

17. Abdomen at 5” down from waist

18. Arm length
From wrist bone to shoulder bone over a slightly bent elbow.

19. Shoulder to elbow
From shoulder tip to the middle of a lightly bent elbow.

20. Upper arm
Measure At the fullest part of arm between shoulder and elbow.

21. Wrist
Around wrist bone.

22. Waist to floor

23. Height

III. Please fill this section in addition to the basic form if you are ordering a corset or cincher:

24. Waist to corset top
Measure from your waist to where you would like the top part of the corset to sit at center front.

25. FOR OVERBUST STYLES: Waist to bust
Place your hand on your breast to simulate the lift that the corset will give you. Measure from waist to nipple, this measurement will be one or two inches more than if you took it wearing a well fitted bra.

25a.FOR OVERBUST STYLES: Compressed and lifted bust measurement
Lifting and holding breasts to similate that the lift that the corset will give you, measure the bust circumference at the widest point. The tighter the measurement the stronger the compression will be and the bigger the lift. Be careful not make it so tight that it will result in unsightly overflow.

26. FOR OVERBUST STYLES: Underbust to bust point
Lifting the breast, measure form the base of the bust (at the point where an under wire on a bra would sit) to the nipple.

27. Waist to corset side
Decide where you would like the top of the corset to sit at your side, under the armpit

28. Waist to corset bottom center front
Sit in a straight back chair. Measure from waist to the lowest center front point, just to the top of the pubic bone. This is where the bottom part of the busk will sit. It should be around four or five inches.

29. Waist to corset bottom at side front
Continue sitting and measure from waist to the top of your lap. Make sure it is not any longer than the measurement from waist to center front bottom.

30. Waist to corset bottom at sides
Still sitting, measure from your waist to where you would like the bottom of the corset to sit.

31. Desired waist reduction
This is the amount of reduction that you would like the corset to provide. This is usually four inches smaller than your waist measurement, more if you are an experienced tight-lacer. For example if you have a 28” waist and would like to lace down about 4”, this measurement will be 24”

32. Desired gap at back opening.
I usually draft for about a 1”gap between the back lacing panels. If you want a narrower or wider a gap please make a note of it here.