01 / MEASUREFind your natural waist.
Your waist is the narrow area between your lower ribs and hips. Tie a soft elastic loosely around it. Bend gently to each side and let the elastic settle.
Stand normally. Keep a measuring tape level around the elastic. It should touch your body without squeezing. Read the number while breathing normally.
Check before you continue
Use a mirror or ask a helper to check the tape at your back. Repeat the measurement. If the readings differ by more than 1 cm, check the tape position and try again. Record the measurement in centimetres.
Let your fabric settle.
Choose a stable woven cotton for your first test garment. Woven fabric has threads crossing at right angles. A test garment is a practice version used to check fit before cutting your final fabric.
Wash and dry the fabric in the way you plan to care for the finished garment. Press it flat without stretching it. Find the finished side edges, called selvages, and keep the pattern grainline parallel to them.
Check before you cut
Some fabrics need different care. Read the care instructions and test a small piece first. Avoid a one-way print or a slippery fabric for your first project. Mark defects so you can place pattern pieces around them.
Check the square first.
Download the sample PDF below. In your printer settings, choose A4 and Actual size or 100%. Turn off Fit to page and any automatic scaling.
Print a sheet with the calibration square. Measure both sides with a ruler. Each side must be 100 mm, or 10 cm. If it differs, adjust the print settings before printing the rest.
What is in the sample?
A sample shirt pattern built from standard sample measurements, with pattern pieces, seam information and tiled A4 sheets. It demonstrates our PDF output; it is not fitted to your body. Check the measurements and make a test garment before using it for a project.
