Measurements

Measurements

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Measurements

• Seamly2D contains dimensions of various pattern making systems.
• Dimensions are grouped (height, leg, etc.), and each group is assigned a letter.
• Each measure has a number within this group.
• Each measurement has a different name based on anatomical points. This allows the meaningful translation of the measurements into any language.
• Sometimes abbreviations are used for front (_f) and back (_b), typically at the end of the name of a measure.

       Example:  neck_front_to_waist_f  is the measurement from the neckline to the front waist.

About measurements

There isn't a standard set of measurements used by everyone. Seamly2D includes a large set of measurements to support variations in patternmaking, plus support for specialty garments, historical costuming, etc.

Everyday terms for measurements are very imprecise. For example, 'shoulder' and 'shoulder length' can be the same measurement. 'Front full length' and 'front shoulder height' can mean the same measurement. Some systems use the term 'armhole', others use 'armscye'. The terms 'Nape', 'Cervicale', and 'Neck Back' refer to the same point on the body.

Some names are associated with multiple measurements. 'Armscye Depth' is sometimes the length from the back of the neck to the level of the bottom of the armscye, and sometimes it's the vertical distance from the shoulder tip to the bottom of the armscye. "Natural waist" is sometimes 2" below the waist, sometimes it is the same as "waist" and means the smallest circumference around the torso.

Meanings of measurement names

In some patternmaking systems, measurements are halved. For example, 'Back shoulder width' sometimes means the distance from shoulder tip to shoulder tip across the back, sometimes it means half this measurement. (Seamly2D provides arm_shoulder_tip_to_shoulder_tip_b and arm_shoulder_tip_to_shoulder_tip_b_half for the back shoulder width and it's half measurement.) Some patternmaking systems define 'knee girth' to mean the circumference around the knee with a straight leg, some systems define it as the circumference around the bent knee. A similar situation occurs with the elbow and arm length measurements, some use a straight arm and some use a bent arm. (Seamly2D provides leg_knee_circ and leg_knee_circ_bent, and shoulder_tip_to_wrist and shoulder_tip_to_wrist_bent measurements.)

Also, some measurements begin with their group name, like "height_", "arm_", and "leg_".

How can I help?

If you have questions or suggestions about measurements, please post them to the forum

How can I propose a new measurement?

Post your proposal to the forum. Your proposal should include:

• short name
• long name (human readable)
• description of how to take the measurement
• measurement image or drawing
• category you think it should be included

When proposal is approved on forum, create a bug ticket in the Issue Tracker.

Body Measurements Diagram