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Handmade Weddings: How-To Take Your Measurements


Story by Vanessa Published on March 13, 2009 in How-To

Hey ladies,

Brides-to-be should check out this handy video from Sandra Mendoza-Daly of Debutante Clothing and the Vintage Indie Wedding Guide. She shows you how to take your measurements, a skill necessary for the hunt for vintage wedding dresses. Fans of vintage clothing know the pain of getting the dress back home and not having it fit. Get your measurements down pat and save the heartache for the wedding night (just kiddin').

Vintage Wedding Dresses on Etsy | Handmade Weddings Series | Spring Showers Showcase

Tags	bridal, brides, clothing, Debutante Clothing, dresses, gowns, Handmade Weddings, Handmade Wedding series, measurements, Sandra Mendoza-Daly, sewing, shopping, video, vintage, Vintage Indie, weddings, white

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Vanessa

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36 comments Login to add your own!

March 13, 2009 at 5:03 p.m.

FancifulForm

This is making me want to get married just so I can shop for it on Etsy! (and make some of my own fabulous things too!)

March 13, 2009 at 5:10 p.m.

TheCottageCheese

Ooh, great video! This also comes in handy for buying a custom dress from a handmade seller on Etsy (which I'm hoping to do for my wedding this summer)!

March 13, 2009 at 5:10 p.m.

lros2002

You know what will make all this even better; the hand made accessories for sellers like me on Etsy.

March 13, 2009 at 5:51 p.m.

voleurdebijoux

Wonderful video! Love all the beautiful selections!

March 13, 2009 at 6:09 p.m.

berrymorin

I love the black & white wedding party photo.

March 13, 2009 at 6:37 p.m.

LoveAppleBoutique

Thanks for posting the video. I love vintage cloths but sometime the measurements confuss me. I now have an idea of my size.

March 13, 2009 at 6:55 p.m.

GlorybyJeannieLee

I have had the most wonderful selling experience making things for brides! Great measurements make all the difference! (Thanks, Shawnamuffin!)

March 13, 2009 at 7:09 p.m.

ShesFancy

I've been married for 13 years, but I think I need a vintage wedding dress--maybe just to wear around the house.

March 13, 2009 at 7:10 p.m.

IceCreamCandy

i love all these dresses:)

March 13, 2009 at 8:04 p.m.

dragonhouseofyuen

nice to see some non-whites above!

March 13, 2009 at 8:24 p.m.

RetroLane

beautiful dresses!

March 13, 2009 at 8:51 p.m.

CouturebyNatalia

As a professional I will have to contradict her a little bit. Firstly, you should wear the bra you intend to wear with your garment so if you want to take your measurement using a padded bra or strapless bra because that is what you will wear underneath your garment, that is what you should do. If you don't, the garment may not fit you as you have taken a smaller size or a larger size than you will be when you wear it. Generally this does not matter so much but vintage is quite fitted most of the time so it's important. Secondly, when you take your sleeve measurement you need to have your elbow bent at 90 degrees to your arm. This is because a professional sleeve falls at your wrist when you arm is bent and below your wrist when your arm is extended. Otherwise you will find your sleeve ride up too much when you move and bend your arm around. That's a couture and commercial standard. Some other measurements you should take are under the bust, particularly for vintage tight fitting shapes. That's right below your bust. As for ease and not taking your measurement too tight, the rule of thumb is that when you take your measurement you should not feel the tape around you (as in tightening) and leave your finger between the tape and yourself at the point where the tape joins for your measurement. The "wearing ease" on a garment is about 2cm minimum all around for comfort and the expansion when we sit and move (ie. without busting at the seams). Happy shopping.

March 13, 2009 at 9:07 p.m.

LuckyAccessories

What a great resource! I am not shopping for a wedding dress, but I imagine this is super helpful for a LOT of Etsy-shopping brides to be!

March 13, 2009 at 9:44 p.m.

bhangtiez

what a great idea...luv the dresses too!

March 13, 2009 at 9:44 p.m.

yosemitevintage

What a great article and kudos to Etsy for adding this informative video. I have a few wedding dresses I need to get photographed and listed. Come Shop with Me! I'm having a Sale!

March 13, 2009 at 10:03 p.m.

uncharted

very helpful, thanks!

March 13, 2009 at 10:56 p.m.

FlanneryCrane

Helpful video and input. Thanks for featuring this, etsy!

March 13, 2009 at 11:22 p.m.

CutieDynamite

I must say, I have had wonderful experiences making custom items for brides to be! I *love* Etsy!

March 14, 2009 at 12:47 a.m.

HouseHoldWords

Gorgeous pics, thanks for the info!

Check out our Wedding Kit here too:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

March 14, 2009 at 1:01 a.m.

ChainofDestiny

Great article! Spring is here and Romance is in the air! I can feel it can't you?

March 14, 2009 at 1:43 a.m.

Debutante

Thanks for the wonderful mention! I really appreciate it. Natalia, I'm not sure that you are contradicting as much as adding additional info and I am sure we are all appreciating that.

Sandra

March 14, 2009 at 10:09 a.m.