Your body measurements may not all line up under the same pattern size. Therefore, it's helpful to know which is the key measurement for a particular garment.
For dresses blouses, tops, vests, jackets and coats choose the pattern size by the bust or upper-bust measurement.
For pants, skirts, shorts or culottes choose the size by the waist measurement unless your hips are much larger than that standard measurement. When the hips are larger, choose the size by your hip measurement and adjust the waist measurement at the side seams.
For maternity clothing, choose your pre-pregnancy size. For men's jackets choose the size by the chest
measurement.
For men's trousers choose the size by the waist measurement.
Also keep in mind...
Women's patterns are for the larger, more mature figure averaging about 5'5" to 5'6" without shoes.
Women's Petite patterns are for the shorter mature figure, about 5'2" without shoes.
Misses' patterns are for evenly proportioned and developed figures averaging about 5'5" to 5'6" without shoes.
Misses' Petite patterns are for the shorter figure, about 52" without shoes.
Children's patterns are designed for a youngster who is walking and not wearing diapers.
Infant patterns are for babies who are not yet walking.
At first glance these garments are very similar--but closer inspection of the line drawings will show one has sleeves and the other is a simple poncho.
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