Electra Designs Corsetry Measurements Form

This site is best viewed with the Firefox internet browser. Click here to download it fast and FREE. Get Firefox

Measurement Form for Made to Measure Corsets

Measurement Diagram

Important

Complete and accurate measurements are essential to the creation of a properly fitting corset that is both flattering and comfortable. If possible, please ask a trusted friend, family member, or tailor to take your measurements for you, as they will be more accurate than measurements you take yourself.

Please be honest with your measurements. No one will see them except me, and to me they are only numbers. Submitting vanity measurements will result in fitting problems, delays, and possibly fees. Please submit your current measurements. Do not guess at what size you think you might be after you lose weight. If you are not confident in your measurements, I recommend you purchase mockup service with remote virtual fitting. The mockup will help me spot any measurement mistakes and fit imperfections before your final corset is made. There are no returns, exchanges or refunds if your corset doesn't fit due to incorrect measurements or improper size selection. If you need help with your measurements, please email me.

Optional: Please provide me with clear pictures of your body, wearing close fitting clothing. Pictures will help me better understand your build, which will aid in the pattern drafting process. You don’t have to show your face. All photos and measurements are kept confidential.

Please email me at alexis(at)electradesigns(dot)net if you have any questions.

Measuring Instructions

measuring tapeDownload printable measuring tape

When to measure: I recommend you take your measurements after a light meal or on an empty stomach. if you plan to wear your corset during the day, take your measurements during the day. If you plan to wear it in the evening, take your measurements in the evening. Our bodies change throughout the day. For example, we are shorter at the end of the day than we are when we wake up in the morning, so take your measurements when your body is most like it will be when you plan to wear your corset most often.

What You Will Need:

  • Flexible Measuring Tape: inches or centimeters. Make sure it is not stretched out by checking it against a ruler.
  • Belt: no wider than 1", preferably the kind with d-rings instead of a buckle with holes
  • String: flat shoe string or length of elastic, long enough to tie around your waist. It should be something that will not roil or shift around
  • Washable Marker to mark your skin
  • Camera to take pictures of yourself after you measure
  • Helper to take your measurements for you

What to Wear: Please wear a comfortable, supportive, unpadded bra (a snug sports bra works best). If you are a cross dresser, please wear your bra, breast forms and any padding you plan to wear under your corset. Wear modest underwear, or take measurements over bare skin in ensure accurate results. If you plan to wear high heels with your corset, wear heels of the same height while you take your measurements and when you take your pictures. Heels affect the posture and curve of the spine.

How to Locate Your Waist: Before you take your measurements, tie a string around your natural waistline. To locate your natural waist, wrap a belt around the part that can tolerate the most reduction above the shelf of your hips. Tighten the belt to be sure you are in the right spot. Your natural waist line is at the bottom edge of the belt. Draw a line on your skin, at the side of your body and at center front, right at the bottom edge of the belt. Remove your belt and tie the string in the same place as the mark on your skin. Make sure the string stays in that place during your entire measuring session. The string will act as a point of reference to indicate where your natural waist line is.

How to Measure: Stand up straight with feet hipbone width apart. Face a full length mirror if possible so you can make sure you are measuring correctly. Do not stand unnaturally erect or slouch. Ask your assistant to take all measurements snugly against the body, but do not suck it in or pull the measuring tape too tight (unless specified). Take care not to measure over thumb or fingers and be sure to use the correct end of the tape measure. Take all circumference measurements parallel to the floor, and all vertical measurements straight up and down. It is wise to measure twice for accuracy. You may use inches or centimeters.

Circumference Measurements

  • *Optional Photos: Photos are optional, but very helpful. For best results, take pictures of yourself right after you have taken your measurements (with the waist string still in place). Please wear modest undergarments. While you are taking your measurements, it sometimes helps to draw small lines directly on your skin, using washable marker. That way I can see where you measured. Please take photos at eye level with your torso while you are standing in front of a solid back ground. If possible, please submit: Front, Back, Side, Side Front and Side Back views. Feel free to crop out your head, legs and surroundings. You may email your photos directly to alexis(at)electradesigns(dot)net. Your images will be kept strictly confidential and will be used only as an aid in drafting your pattern.
  • 1.Bust Size: (for overbust and bras only): Measure around the fullest part of your bust at the apex (nipple). Be sure the tape measure does not droop across your back.
  • 1a.Squished Bust: (overbust corsets only): For this measurement, it helps to wear a tight sports bra to control ample breasts. Cross your hands in front of you. Place your hands over your bust (left over right, right over left). Squeeze your breasts upward and inward to simulate desired cleavage. Place the measuring tape UNDER your hands and measure around your bust at the fullest part. Your corset bust will be made to fit this size. Several other measurements must be taken in this "squished bust" position. (not shown)
  • 2.Underbust: (Or widest part of rib cage below pecs for males): Place tape directly under breasts. Make sure the tape is parallel with the floor. Arms down.
  • 3. Ribs: With arms down, measure around your lower ribs half way between your waist and underbust. This measurement is to ensure your corset does not compress your lower ribs too much so you can breathe freely. When taking this measurement, relax your breath so your lungs are neither filled nor deflated.
  • 3a. Compressed Ribs Measure in the exact same place as the Ribs, but this time pull the tape measure tight to simulate desired rib compression in this area. If you do not desire compression, omit this field. (not shown)
  • 4.Waist: Measure around body where the string is tied. Do not suck in your stomach. This is your actual, natural waist measurement. Leave the string tied around your waist for reference when you take your vertical measurements.
  • 4a.Desired Waist (compressed): Pull tape as snugly as possible around waist while pulling in your abdominal muscles to get an idea of how much reduction you are capable of. If your waist is less than 26” or you are a first time corset wearer, I recommend a 2-3” reduction. Those with fleshy waists, and experienced corset wearers may prefer a 5-6” waist reduction. The actual waist measurement of the corset will be made 2” smaller than your desired waist measurement (to allow for an approximate 2” gap between laces when fully cinched in). If you are used to wearing proper corsets, measure the waist of your corset and add 2" for your desired waist. Another way to estimate your desired waist measurement is to use your belt to cinch your waist as small as you wish. Be sure to subtract the bulk of the belt from your measurement. (not shown)
  • 5.High Hip: Measure around hip bones at widest point
  • 5a.Compressed High Hip: Measure in the exact same place as the High Hip, but this time pul the tape measure tight to simulate desired hip compression in this area. If you do not desire compression, omit this field. (not shown
  • 5b.Waist to High Hip: Distance between waist to high hip, measured at center front. (not shown)
  • 6. Low Hip: Measure around hips at the top of the pubic triangle, measured at center front. (not shown)
  • 6a.Waist to Low Hip: Distance between waist to low hip, measured at center front. (not shown)

Vertical Measurements

  • 7. Waist to Underbust
  • 8.Waist to Top of Pubic Bone Center Front, Seated: Sit down with good posture. Starting at the waist in center front, measure down to the top of your pubic bone (top of pubic triangle). Your corset will not be made longer than this measurement. If you have a tummy, push your tummy flat and measure straight down.
  • 9.Waist to Top of Thigh Seated: Sit down with good posture. Measure from the waist string down to the top of your lap over one thigh. If you have a tummy, push your tummy flat and measure straight down.
  • 10.Side of Body (overbust only): Start by placing the end of the measuring tape at the waistline on the side of your body. Suck in your waist or use your belt to simulate waist reduction. Measure up towards your armpit. Indicate how high you want your corset to be on the side, under your arm. I recommend 2” below the crease of your armpit (when your arm is down).
  • 11.Waist to Top Corset Center Front: Measure from your waist up to where you want the top edge of your corset to be at center front. For overbusts, this will determine the amount of decolletage you reveal.
  • 12.Underbust to Apex: (overbust corsets and bras only): In the "squished bust" position, measure from base of breast, following the curve of the breast, up to the center of your nipple. Place the tape UNDER your hand.
  • 13.Apex to Top of Corset over Breast: (overbusts only): Take measurement in "squished bust" position. Measure from center of nipple (apex) to where you want the top edge of your corset to be over your breast. For full coverage, about 2-3", and for demi-coverage 1-1.5" is common.

Additional Information

  • 14.Bra Size (overbust corsets or bras): Do not guess. Read the tag on the back of your best-fitting bra. Indicate whether it is US or European sizing.
  • 15.Figure problems you may have
  • 16.Transgender: Please let me know if you are a transgender, cross-dresser, or have a male skeletal structure. Please specify whether you prefer a masculine or feminine silhouette.
  • 17.Corset Torso Silhouette: Please tell me if you would prefer an hourglass torso shape (with no rib compression), or a more conical torso (with light rib compression).
    Note: Rib compression is no recommended for people who do not have flexible lower ribs. If you can not comfortably compress your lower ribs, do not request rib compression. Refer to this diagram to see the difference in silhouettes.
  • 18.Corset Hip Silhouette: Please tell me if you would prefer an hourglass torso shape (with no rib compression), or a more conical torso (with light rib compression). Note: Rib compression is not recommended for people who do not have flexible lower ribs. If you can not comfortably compress your lower ribs, do not request rib compression. If you plan to use your corset as a means to modify your body and re-shape your ribs, please be aware that this process takes time, and will require more than one corset as your ribs compress over time. Refer to this diagram to see the difference in silhouettes.