Understanding Sizing Standards
This section of the Academy will provide you with measurement values based on various sizing standard tables. The beauty of using standard sizing is the ability to generate a complete list of measurements by only entering a bust or chest value.
The downside is that all the measurements will just be proportional standards. As many of you know, our bodies are not standard in any way. The more your body deviates from what the industry considers 'normal', the worse the resulting pattern will fit.
Every drafting resource provides their own sizing tables and they vary greatly over time. Standards from the 1940s are completely different from today. For this reason, I am providing a wide array of sizing systems from different authors, countries, and eras. Each calculator will state who the source is.
Rather than providing you an enormous table of values, I've reverse engineered the formulas used to create the tables. This allows you to enter one simple bust or chest measurement and the full list will be calculated based on the methods used in the original table.
The Academy is providing you multiple drafts for basic block patterns. Every draft is different and relies on its own specific set of measurements. This is another reason that I've given you several dynamic sizing calculators. They all have different measurements included.
You are strongly encouraged to compare various calculated measurements to the actual person to make sure the set would be appropriate for drafting. The closer the person is to the calculated set, the better the garment will fit.
ASTM Standards
For standard ready-to-wear sizing, you can obtain standardized body measurement tables directly from ASTM International. These tables are specifically designed to "assist manufacturers in developing patterns and garments that are consistent with the current anthropometric characteristics of the population of interest."
ASTM publishes separate tables tailored to distinct demographics, including age, gender, and figure type. They range from infants and children to juniors, misses, plus size, and men’s standard or big-and-tall categories. These charts represent nude body dimensions rather than finished garment measurements, perfect for drafting. This allows you to add your own wearing and design ease. You can explore and purchase specific measurement standards directly on the ASTM International website. Use the search term Body Measurements to locate the tables.
Take Actual Measurements
As always, I encourage you to take as many measurements as possible to customize your drafts. The Taking Measurements page is an easy-to-follow guide to doing this.
Rather than depending completely on a standard list, use it to verify the measurements you've taken yourself. If you've taken a measurement completely wrong, it will become immediately obvious. A real measurement will usually be in the same ballpark as the calculated one.
Remember that pattern drafting is a blend of science and art. Sizing tables are an excellent starting point, but they are just guides and not rules written in stone. Don’t get discouraged if your exact numbers don't perfectly align with a chart. Your unique shape is what makes a custom garment fit beautifully, so use these calculators as a helpful guide, but let your muslin mockup and your mirror be the final judge.
Measurements in PatternMaker Pro
PatternMaker Pro makes managing your custom measurements effortless. You can enter values individually or import a full list in a single step using a CSV file exported from your favorite spreadsheet program. For complete step-by-step instructions, visit the PatternMaker Pro Manual.
Each Standard Sizing Calculator in the Academy includes a button to download ready-to-use Imperial or Metric CSV files that import directly into the software.
Want to test it out? Try the Free Online Demo to practice drafting and experiment with importing measurement lists firsthand.