Measurements and Photographs

Measurements and photographs need to be taken of the person that the patterns are being made for referred to here as the Client. The person making the patterns is called the Designer. People who are sewing for themselves can be considered a combination of both Client and Designer.

These instructions are written so the measurements and photographs can be taken either as a do-it-yourself process or with the assistance of a helping hand. If the Client is willing to take their own measurements and photographs, it is not necessary for the Client and Designer to meet in-person.

The PDF files below include the instructions required for either a woman or man Client. A copy of the appropriate PDF file should be sent to the Client.

Note to Independent Designers Some people are comfortable with their bodies such as the models I have worked with over the years and use for my illustrations. Others, including myself and my model Marcus with the 53" waist line, are not comfortable with the way their bodies look. As an example when I was teaching how to make a Body Double in the classroom back in the 70s, on the last day of class everyone walked out with their Body Double tucked under their arm. When I taught this class online, only one person made themselves a Body Double. When I asked the other people in the class why they didn't, they responded "I don't want to see what I look like."

The fact is that the people who are not comfortable with their bodies are likely the ones who need custom-fit clothes the most. If I were soliciting people as a designer where in-person sessions were not possible, I would send the above instructions with the note.

"It is very important for me to see the shape of your body inorder to create clothes that fit you. However, if you would prefer to send me photos of your body cropped from the chin down, that will work just fine."

This is the approach I used with Marcus and he even agreed to my including his photos in my book and for these online classes.