Measuring your hips accurately is crucial for sewing success, ensuring your garments fit beautifully. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to get precise hip measurements for all your sewing projects.
How to Measure Hips for Sewing: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting the right hip measurement is a fundamental skill for any sewer. Whether you’re working with a commercial pattern or drafting your own, an accurate measurement prevents common fit issues. This process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes.
Why Accurate Hip Measurements Matter in Sewing
Your hip measurement is a key indicator of your body’s circumference at its widest point. This is particularly important for bottoms like skirts, pants, and dresses. A precise measurement ensures that these garments will not be too tight or too loose.
- Pattern Selection: Commercial patterns often use hip measurements to determine your size.
- Garment Fit: Correct measurements lead to a flattering and comfortable fit.
- Alterations: Knowing your true size minimizes the need for extensive alterations later.
- Fabric Choice: Some fabrics have less ease than others, making accurate measurements even more vital.
What You’ll Need for Accurate Hip Measurement
Gathering a few simple tools will make the process easier and more accurate.
- Measuring Tape: A flexible, fabric measuring tape is ideal. Avoid using a metal tape measure, as it can be too stiff.
- Mirror (Optional but Recommended): A full-length mirror helps you ensure the tape is positioned correctly.
- Assistance (Optional): Having someone else take the measurement can improve accuracy, especially for the back.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Measure Your Hips
Follow these steps carefully for the most precise hip measurement.
- Stand Naturally: Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Avoid sucking in your stomach or puffing out your chest. Relax your body.
- Locate the Widest Point: This is typically around your buttocks and hip bones. You’ll need to find the fullest part of your rear.
- Position the Tape: Wrap the measuring tape around your body. Ensure the tape is parallel to the floor all the way around.
- Keep it Snug, Not Tight: The tape should be snug against your skin but not digging in. You should be able to slip a finger between the tape and your body.
- Read the Measurement: Look at where the tape overlaps. Read the number at this point. If you’re using inches, note the fraction. If using centimeters, round to the nearest whole number.
- Double-Check: For maximum accuracy, take the measurement two or three times. If possible, have someone else take it for you to confirm.
Pro Tip: Always measure over your underwear or the thinnest layer of clothing you intend to wear with the garment. Avoid measuring over bulky pants or dresses.
Measuring Your Full Hip vs. High Hip
There are two common hip measurements used in sewing: the full hip and the high hip. Understanding the difference is key.
- Full Hip: This is the measurement we’ve described above – the circumference at the widest part of your hips and buttocks. This is the most commonly used measurement for sizing patterns.
- High Hip: This measurement is taken about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) above your full hip measurement, roughly level with your hip bones. This measurement is sometimes used for specific garment styles, especially those with a higher waistline.
Most sewing patterns will explicitly state which hip measurement they use for sizing. Always refer to the pattern’s specific instructions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Measuring Hips
Even with the best intentions, a few common errors can lead to inaccurate measurements.
- Incorrect Tape Placement: The tape must be parallel to the floor. If it dips in the back or rides up in the front, your measurement will be off.
- Too Tight or Too Loose Tape: A tape that’s too tight will give a smaller, inaccurate reading. A tape that’s too loose will result in a larger, equally inaccurate measurement.
- Holding Your Breath or Tensing Up: This can alter your body’s natural shape and lead to a misleading measurement.
- Measuring Over Clothing: Bulky clothing will add inches to your measurement, making your garment too large.
Example: Using Your Hip Measurement with a Sewing Pattern
Let’s say you’ve measured your full hips and found they are 38 inches. You are looking at a sewing pattern for a skirt.
On the pattern envelope, you’ll find a size chart. For example, the chart might show:
| Size | Bust | Waist | Hips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 36" | 28" | 38" |
| 12 | 38" | 30" | 40" |
Based on your 38-inch hip measurement, Size 10 appears to be the correct starting point for the skirt. You would then check your waist measurement to see if that also corresponds to Size 10 or if you need to blend sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Measuring Hips for Sewing
Here are answers to some common queries people have about this process.
### How do I measure my hips if I have a large derrière?
When measuring your hips for sewing, focus on the widest circumference of your body, which naturally includes your buttocks. Stand relaxed and ensure the tape measure is parallel to the floor, snug but not constricting, at this fullest point. This ensures the most accurate reading for garment fit.
### Should I measure over underwear or clothing?
It’s best to measure your hips over undergarments or the thinnest layer of clothing you plan to wear with the finished garment. Measuring over bulky clothing will add unnecessary inches, leading to a garment that is too large and potentially ill-fitting.
### What is the difference between high hip and full hip measurements?
The full hip measurement is taken around the widest part of your hips and buttocks. The high hip measurement is taken higher up, typically about 2-3 inches above the full hip, near the hip bones. Patterns usually specify which measurement to use, but the full hip is most common for sizing.
### How do I ensure my measuring tape is straight?
To ensure your measuring tape is straight and parallel to the floor, stand in front of a mirror. Check that the tape is level all the way around your body. If you have assistance, ask your helper to confirm the tape is even before you read the measurement.
### What if my hip measurement falls between sizes on a pattern?
If your hip measurement falls between sizes, it’s generally recommended to size up for garments that fit closely around the hips, like pants or fitted skirts. You can then take
