Implements Needed

• A measuring tape: You can get one at a fabrics section of Walmart or Joann Fabrics, print one up yourself by downloading this.
• A place to write down the measurements - Download our instruction sheet and measurement tool
• A #2 pencil or a ball point pen to write down the measurements
• A helper to help you take measurements, if you are doing this the first time around

Taking Measurements

First, you need to learn how to hold the tape. Look at the illustration on the right. Lets say you are measuring the neck circumference. Wrap the tape around this persons neck, and hold the end of the tape and the long tape together as shown in the illustration. Its important to have two fingers under the tape when taking the measurement. Make a note of the measurement on the long tape where the end of the tape meets. This is the measurement of the neck circumference.

In this way, you have to measure seven different measurements:

• A: Neck Circumference
• B: Shoulder width: Shoulder width should be measured ON the shoulder, not in the front. Simply start at one shoulder and end at the other shoulder.
• C: Sleeve Length: In measuring the sleeve length, start at the shoulder and let the tape follow the curve of the hand on the outside, upto the mid point between wrist joint and the base of the thumb. One of the advantages of tailored shirts is that if there is a difference between left and right sleeve length, so be sure to measure left and right sleeve length.
• D: Chest Circumference: In taking the circumference of the chest, pass the tape under the arms and take the measurement in front. In taking chest measurement, its important to breath normal, and neither hold the breath in nor hold the breath out.
• E: Back Length: Measure the back length from the base of the neck to the bottom of the buttocks.
• F: Waist Circumference: Wrap the tape around the smallest part of the torso in the waist region.
• G: Seat Circumference: Wrap the tape at the thickest point of your seat and take measurement in the front.

One of the common problems in taking measurements is that people hold the tape too tight or too loose. In taking measurement, just relax the tape and include the "give" given by the two fingers under the tape. That should be sufficient to take the right measurement.

Another piece of advice is that while its tempting to measure an existing shirt to take measurements, its best to provide measurements taken on the body. If however you MUST provide measurements taken on your favorite shirt, then please let us know about it in the notes section while checking out. We have to make certain adjustments to the measurements to ensure that the shirt will be tailored to your size.

All this may seem very difficult, but really, try it once and you will see just how easy it is. Besides, once you start wearing a shirt crafted to your personal measurements, you will never go back to "ready made" but ill fitting shirts.