Comprehensive
measurement directions
show-off inc.
48 Congress Circle West,
Roselle, IL 60172-3911; Telephone: 630-894-0100, Fax: 630-894-0300
(Please
do not fax photographs);
e-mail:
showoffinc@sbcglobal.net;
Web:
www.showoffinc.com
It is not necessary to use an outside seamstress to measure
if you follow these directions and we do not recommend it since the measurements
must be done our way.
Photos show
proper placement of the tape measure and there are extra tips to get the best
accuracy. When you place your order a designer may have you go back and take
some different measurements. Skaters and wrestlers will require additional
measurements.
MEASUREMENTS NEEDED FOR ALL COSTUMES - for a
sleeveless leotard style: BUST, WAIST,
HIPS, HEIGHT AND GIRTH
(right
and left side).
With long
sleeves:- SLEEVE LENGTH ,
UPPER ARM, FOREARM and
WRIST.
Include the AGE of the costume wearer.
PREPARE FOR MEASURING
- What a person is wearing can make a big difference in accuracy and how easy it is to measure and get proper
placement of the tape measure. What should be worn can be underpants and a bra
(if needed), a leotard, or tight fitting tank top and bike shorts
Do not measure in jeans, this will add to the girth and hip!
For GROUPS we recommend
that ONE person measures the whole team
Do not do measurements on
YOURSELF. Get someone else
to measure you.
When measuring girth if either side is longer than 60"
and your tape measure runs out do not guess the additional inches.. Get a tape
longer than 60" or tape another one to the end of your existing tape.
GROW ROOM
- costumes are cut to fit to the
measurements you supply, we do not allow for grow room. If you would like grow
room we suggest you take the exact measurements first and then “pad” them
with any additional increments after that. We no longer guarantee the fit when
you add grow room. If you are unsure you may discuss
this with a designer when you place your order and we can suggest, based
on your final expectations for the fit. If grow room is added to a person with a
deep sway in the small of the back it will fit that area poorly. A grow pleat
can be added to any costume with a skirt for an additional fee of $18.
HEIGHT
- (not
illustrated) crown of the head to the base of the heel taken in back.
![bust.jpg (31393 bytes)](bust_small.jpg) |
BUST
Draw the tape directly around the
back to the bust line center.
Tip
- Make sure the tape is parallel going around the
back to the front and not falling down past the shoulder blades in back. |
![UnderBust](underbust_small.jpg) |
UNDER BUST
Draw the tape
directly around the back to the under bust/bra line center.
|
![waist.jpg (27189 bytes)](waist_small.jpg) |
WAIST
Draw the tape around the narrowest
section of the “natural” waistline .This is the area between the belly
button and the bottom of the rib cage.
Tip
- If you cannot find the narrowest
section have the person being measured bend to the side so you can see where it
creases and take your measurement there. |
![hip2.jpg (21722 bytes)](hip2_small.jpg) ![hip1.jpg (25860 bytes)](hip1_small.jpg) ![hip3.jpg (27016 bytes)](hip3_small.jpg) |
HIPS
Draw the tape around the thickest
section of the rear end . This usually will fall in front of the crotch when you
come back to the front. |
![girth1.jpg (24403 bytes)](girth1_small.jpg)
![girth2.jpg (27190 bytes)](girth2_small.jpg) ![girth3.jpg (24913 bytes)](girth3_small.jpg) ![girth4.jpg (25481 bytes)](girth4_small.jpg) |
GIRTH
Stance
should be straight up but shoulders relaxed, feet shoulder distance apart, toes
straight ahead. Start the tape at the top of the shoulder in the middle (where a
bra strap would be) , take it past the bust, thru the crotch back up to the same
place on shoulder where you started and then press the tape flat against the
small of the back. Measure the right and left side. We will cut to the largest
of the two measurements. Most people have a slight difference 1' or under
.
Tip - Make sure the tape measure is not
pinched low between the thighs or getting a wedge in the behind.
If you notice a lot of curvature in the small of the back when you push
in you will need to inform the designer who takes your order. We call this a
"deep sway".
|
![sleeve2.jpg (20898 bytes)](sleeve2_small.jpg) ![sleeve3.jpg (23574 bytes)](sleeve3_small.jpg)
![sleeve1.jpg (24230 bytes)](sleeve1_small.jpg) ![sleeve4.jpg (26353 bytes)](sleeve4_small.jpg)
|
SLEEVE LENGTH TO KNUCKLE
Start the tape at the
very edge of the shoulder where the arm begins but not onto the shoulder top .
Draw it down to the middle knuckle on the hand, not the finger . Arm should be
straight down, hand relaxed, measurement taken on the outside of the arm . TIP-
In order to not get too much length just make sure the
tape is not on the shoulder top or onto the finger.
SLEEVE LENGTH TO WRIST
(see 4th photo
over) ..Start as above but just draw the tape to just below the wrist bone.
|
![upperarm1.jpg (23157 bytes)](upperarm1_small.jpg) ![upperarm2.jpg (24281 bytes)](upperarm2_small.jpg) |
UPPER
ARM
Circumference- draw the tape around the upper arm about an inch or so
below the armpit. |
![forearm.jpg (24307 bytes)](forearm_small.jpg) |
FOREARM
Circumference - place just below
the elbow and draw the tape around. |
WRIST
- (not illustrated) circumference of wrist taken at the wrist bone.
![Mitts](MittsLehgth&Circumference_small.jpg) ![Mitts - Length and Circumference](MittsLehgth&Circumference2_small.jpg) |
MITTS- LENGTH AND CIRCUMFERENCE
Two (2) photos represent best suggested mitt lengths to
choose from. Top of mitt is best to stop either just below the
elbow or approx. 2'' above elbow. Place tape at middle knuckle
on hand ( not finger) and draw directly up to just before the
elbow OR approximately 2' above CIRCUMFERENCE - Take measurement
around the top where you choose to stop the length. |
![neck.jpg (22223 bytes)](neck_small.jpg) |
NECK
Take this only if your costume will have a turtle neck . Measure around the
neck just right above the base. |
![acrossback.jpg (21416 bytes)](acrossback_small.jpg) |
ACROSS
BACK
This is usually needed for men or others that have shoulders that
look especially wide compared to the rest of the body. Tape goes from the edge
of the shoulder on top, across the nape of the neck , to the edge of the
shoulder on the other side. Tape should not go vertical on the arms. |
![rise1.jpg (25292 bytes)](rise1_small.jpg) ![rise2.jpg (31019 bytes)](rise2_small.jpg) |
RISE
Only needed if you are ordering pants or a 2 piece costume and it helps
decide the proper height for a waistband. Discuss with the designer prior to
measuring on how to determine placement for the tape to get the correct height.
Place the beginning of the tape in the front facing down where you would like
the top of the waistband to start, draw thru the legs to the top of the
waistband where it should end in back. |
![](CircumferenceatHipbones_small.jpg) |
CIRCUMFERENCE AT HIPBONES
(per designer request)
Place tape
at the very top of the "hipbones" which can be found by pressing
in at that area.
WAISTBAND CIRCUMFERENCE
(for
two-piece costume, pants, trunks, shorts, separate skirt)
This measurement is
different than the natural waist and is to be decided by wearer
in relation to what looks good and covers. Do the "RISE"
measurement first. After completing the "RISE" measurement,
immediately place the tape around the body at top of where
"RISE " has been decided to measure circumference of where the
waistband will be sitting. |
![In Seam for Pants](Inseamforpants_small.jpg) |
INSEAM
(for pants)
Start tape on the inside of the leg next to
crotch and draw directly down to floor OR IF FOR SHORTS where
you would like the shorts to stop. |
![Thigh Circum Ference](thighcircumference_small.jpg) |
THIGH CIRCUMFERENCE
Place tape at widest section
of thigh at the top. |
![KNEE CIRCUMFERENCE](KneeCircumference_small.jpg) |
KNEE CIRCUMFERENCE (for
pants only)
Place tape in middle of knee at crease. WRESTLERS -Wear knee pad
for this measurement if you will wear pads UNDER your FITTED
tights. |
![CALF CIRCUMFERENCE](CalfCircumference_small.jpg) |
CALF CIRCUMFERENCE (for
pants only)
Place tape at widest section of calf. |
![SHOULER TO CREASE OF KNEE](ShoulderToCreaseofknee_small.jpg) |
SHOULER TO CREASE OF KNEE
In
back, place tape measure on the shoulder between the neck and
the arm. Draw tape directly down to crease of knee. DO NOT push
tape in anywhere to follow contour. |
![SHOULDER TO UNDER BUST](ShoudertoUnderbust_small.jpg) |
SHOULDER TO UNDER BUST
(take only upon request by designer or if you are very full
busted)
Start tape at the shoulder between the neck and
the arm, draw directly down to under bust/bra line following
curve of bust. |
|
show-off,
inc. 48 Congress Circle West,
Roselle, IL 60172-3911, Phone: 630-894-0100, Fax: 630-894-0300,
E-mail:
showoffinc@sbcglobal.net,
Web: www.showoffinc.com