Measuring help

[Vintagiality]

Hi all,

I am trying to accurately measure what I believe is an 80s dress. The bodice is giving me grief since it is structured (is this the proper term?) both in the back and in the front through the bust area with some sort of plastic strips and it won't lie flat. How to you properly provide measurements for such garments?

Thank you,
Victoria

 

[Pinkcoke]

They are difficult; the best way I've found is to open the bodice up and using a soft tape measure on the inside from the edge of the zip, following the bust line round (on older dresses there tends to be a lining seam or darts) stretching each panel of the boned interior as you go. Measure a few times to get a good idea. You can also state the measurements of the mannequin, or person it fits on.

 

[Vintagiality]

Thank you, Melanie. I hope I got it right.

 

[sewingmachinegirl]

Hi Victoria, Melanies advice is spot on! and it is such a pretty dress ;)