TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION 7

Dressmaking / Tailoring Weeks 3 & 4 (3rd Quarter)

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
At the end of these module , the learners are expected to:
a. select appropriate measuring tool;
b. take accurate body measurement;
c. explain the system of measurement
d. perform simple calculation;

Lesson 2: Measurement

EXPLORE:
Anticipation Reaction Guide;
FIRM – UP:
APPROPRIATE MEASURING TOOLS IN SEWING

In sewing , accurate measuring is very important . One must have the right measuring tools and
know how to use them in order for a project to be successful.

1.Tape measure – a tape made of flexible cloth, plastic, paper, or steel, with metal tips and marked with
inches on one side and centimeters on the other. It is used for taking body measurement as well as
measuring length of fabric. (metro-de sinta)
2. Sewing ruler – marked with measurements in the same manner as a regular ruler, in both standard
and metrics units. It is useful in measuring and drawing straight line and cutting lines.( panukat)
3. French curve ruler – also known as designer’s curve. It is used when a piece of cloth needs to be
modified from the original shape. It is used to shape the depth of the neck hole and armhole of the
pattern. (Prances kurba)
4. L-square – is an alluminum ruler with a precise 90 degrees angle used to create perpendicular lines
and to measure off parallel lines. It is used to transfer measurement to the draft pattern. It is also
used to divide the garment into the desired measurement. It has two arms connected perpendicularly,
the longer arm (24 inches long) and the shorter arm (14 inches long). (Parisukat)
5. T- square – is used to measure length of fabrics marked in 90 degrees angles or to marked multiple
spots at equal distances from the edges of a piece of fabric.
6. Sewing gauge – a small ruler about six inches long, made of metal, and marked in inches along one
edge and in centimeters along the others. It is used for measuring short spaces and for marking hems
for alterations.It has a double-tipped slider, which can be moved along a slot in the center when
marking distances. ( Pananahi-panukat)
7. Yardstick – is a flat wooden ruler used to measure lengths of up to one yard, meter or feet. It Is also
used for marking hemlines and checking grainlines when laying out the pattern. ( pangyarda)

TAKING MEASUREMENT IN SEWING

In order to come up with a successful sewing project, measurement must be taken with care and
with accuracy. This will ensure that the finished garment will fit properly. Use metric system when taking
body measurements, as it is more accurate and easier than English system.

GUIDELINES IN TAKING BODY MEASUREMENTS

1. Body measurements should be taken:
a. Vertically – from the top of the body to the base
b. Horizontally – from the left to the right of the body
c. Circumferentially – around the body
2. Use a flexible tape measure, either cloth or plastic, that can be wrapped around the parts of the body
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to be measured.
3. Measure over the undergarments normally worn
4. Make sure that the tape measure is snug but not tight.
5. When taking measurement around the body ( neck, bust, waist, hips, shoulder, width, and thigh ) ,
allow two fingers to fit under the tape measure. This will add an extra two inches to the actual
measurements, making the finished garment loose enough, allowing the wearer to move easily.

MEASURING THE BODY PARTS

Neck - Loosely measure around the circumference at the base of your neck.

Bust - Lift your arms to the side.
Measure around your body crossing over the fullest part
of your bust. (The tape measure must run directly over
your nipples and across your shoulder blades on your
back).
Bust to Bust - Measure from your one nipple
to your other nipple.
Upper Bust - Measure around the torso
directly above the bust line. From armhole to
armhole +- 8cm down from neck.
Lower Bust - Measure around the torso
directly under the bustline.

Waist - Measure around the waist at the narrowest Hips - Measure around the fullest part of
natural waistline point, allowing 2 fingers between your your hips. As a guide, this is often 20cm
waist and tape measure. below your natural waistline. Stand with
your knees together.

Shoulder to Bust - Measure from tip of the shoulder Front Shoulder to Waist - Measure from

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to the centre of bust (nipple). tip of shoulder over bust to natural

waistline.

Shoulder to Shoulder - Measure across the back of

neck from socket of one shoulder to socket of the other Shoulder to Neck - Measure from base of neck
shoulder. along top of shoulder to the shoulder socket.

Down Center Back - Measure from nape of neck to Back Shoulder to Waist - Measure from
natural waist. tip of shoulder to natural waist line.

Across Back - Measure from armhole across back to Full Back - Measure from side seam,
armhole positioning tape measure + - 8cm down from under armpits to side seam across back,
nape of neck. positioning tape measure +- 4cm down
under armpit.

Sleeve Hole - Measure around the shoulder under Bicep - Measure around the fullest part
the armpit. of the upper arm.

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Elbow - Do a fairly loose measurement around the

bent elbow.

Under Arm - Measure from under the

arm. Start at the armpit to the wrist.

Over Arm - Measure from outer shoulder socket on

outside of arm, with a bent arm, to the wrist Side Seam - Measure from under armpit to
natural waistline down.

Upper Arm – Measure from the outer shoulder socket on

outside of arm to crook of elbow

PERFORMING SIMPLE CALCULATION IN SEWING

Simple calculation is an easy mathematical application used to determine the accurate

measurement of the body parts , length and width of materials and cost needed to create an apparel.

In dressmaking and tailoring, making precise calculation is just as important as taking accurate
measurements. This ensures that one correctly converts measurements, acquire the exact yardage of
materials, and sets the cost of creating a garment as well.

In measuring theMETRIC
length and width of materials
CONVERSION CHART needed such as fabrics,
FOR FABRIC we also need the use of the
IN SEWING
metric measurement system.
1.5 Inches
METRIC CONVERSION CHART=FOR 3.81 Centimeters
FABRIC IN SEWING
2¼ Inches
Inch == 5.08 centimeters
0.25 Centimeters
3½ Inches
Inch == 7.62
0.27Centimeters
Centimeters
4 5/8
Inches
Inch == 10.16 Centimeters
1.59 Centimeters
5 3/4
Inches
Inch == 12.7 Centimeters
1.905 Centimeter
6 1Inches
Inch == 15.24 Centimeters
2.54 Centimeter
7 Inches = 17.78 Centimeters
8 Inches = 21.59 Centimeters
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l0 Inches = 25.4 Centimeters
1 Yard = 0.9144 Meters
5 Yards = 4.572 Meters
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Dressmaking / Tailoring Weeks 3 & 4 (3rd Quarter)

Examples
Compute for the following
1. A piece of fabric is 200 centimeters wide. How many inches are there in 200 centimeters?
Given: Fabric width = 200 centimeters
Solution:

200 cm x 1 in = 78.74 in
2.54 cm

2. Compute for the length in yards of an 80 – centimeter long piece of fabric

Given: Fabric length = 80 centimeters
Solution :

80 cm x 1m = 0.8m ( cm to meter )

100 cm
0.8m x 1 yd = 0.87 yd (meter to yard )
0.9144m
In measurement , there are 2 units of measure that can be used to get body measure. The metric system
that uses millimeter, centimeter an meter. The other is the English system of measure like inches, feet or
yard.
The metric system is an internationally agreed decimal system of measurement created in France
in 1799. The international system of unit , is the official system of measurement of almost every country
in the world. The unit of measurement commonly used in dressmaking are meters, centimeters and
millimeters .
You can convert Metric unit of measure to English unit of measure.Use this conversion guide to;
CONVERSION GUIDE
From To Multiply by From To Multiply by
Inch Centimeter 2.54 Yard Meter 0.9144
Centimeter Inch 0.393701 Meter Yard 1.09361
Feet Centimeter 30.48 Inch Feet 0.08333333
Centimeter Feet 0.0328084 Foot Inch 12
Foot Yard 0.333333 Inch Yard 0.0277778
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Yard Feet 3 Yard Inch 36

Millimeter Centimeter 0.1 Centimeter Meter 0.01
Centimeter Millimeter 10 Meter Centimeter 100
Examples:
1. Convert 100 centimeter to inches.
Solution: From Centimeter to inches, multiply the given by o.393701
100 x 0.393701 = 39.73 inches (rounded to 2 decimal places)
Therefore 100 cm = 39.37 inches
ESTIMATE APPROPRIATE QUANTITIES
EXAMPLES

1. The table shows a sample estimate of the cost of materials in a simple project – Cacha bag

Materials Quantity Unit cost (pesos) Total cost (pesos)

Cacha 2 yards 150 300
Manila paper (pattern) ½ size 20 pesos 10
Thread (small) 2 spool 10 pesos 20
Zipper 1 5 pesos 5
Total Cost =335.00
2. The table shows a sample estimate of the cost of materials in a short tablecloth
Quantity Materials Unit price Total cost (pesos )
(pesos)
2 yards Pranela red 100 200
1 yard Lace – blue 100 100
2 spool Thread - white 2.50 5.00
3 spool Thread - Pink 5.50 16.50
3 yards Manila paper 10.00 30.00
Total cost = 351.50

Activity 1: Identify Me
Activity 2: Measure Me

DEEPEN

Activity 3: Compute and convert

Activity 4: Answer Me

SELF- ASSESSMENT :
I can..
References:
Learning Module for TLE 7
Technology and Livelihood Education 7 Bernadette Publishing House Corporation
Helario, Carmelita B For Clothing Technology Made Easy ,Valenzuela City Philippines
Complete Guide to Sewing www.sewing guide com

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Dressmaking / Tailoring Weeks 3 & 4 (3rd Quarter)

CN. ______ Name _______________________________ Section ____________ Score ________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
EXPLORE :
Anticipation Reaction Guide:

In this lesson you will learn about measurement and calculation in sewing. Respond to each
statement twice , once before the lesson and again after the lesson.
 Write A if you Agree with the statement
 Write B if you Disagree with the statement

Before STATEMENTS AFTER THE

the LESSON
lesson
Proper sewing tools is essential in taking body measurement
Vertical , Horizontal and Circumferential measurement are useful in taking
body measurement.
The 2 unit of measure that can be used to get body measure are the metric
system and English system.
The unit of measurement commonly used in dressmaking are feet, meter
and yard

FIRM – UP:
Activity 1. IDENTIFY ME:
Direction : Identify whether the following parts of the body is measured Vertical , Horizontal and
Circumferential. Draw heart for Vertical , Diamond for horizontal, Circle for circumferential.

Sleeve length - Neck- Bust to bust- Waist -

Shoulder to bust- Shoulder to neck- Pant length- Shoulder to shoulder-
Waist to knee- Hips- Lower bust- Elbow-
Sleeve hole- Down center back- Crotch back- Upper bust-

Activity 2 : MEASURE ME :
Direction: Using your tape measure, take and record your own body measurements. Use Inch and
Centimeter as a unit of measure.

BODY PARTS Inch (English) Centimeter ( Metric )

1. Waist
2. Hips
3. Under arm
4. Elbow
5. Shoulder to shoulder
6. Shoulder to neck
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7. Sleeve hole
8. Back shoulder to waist
9. Bust
10. Front shoulder to waist

DEEPEN:
Activity 3: Compute / Convert the following - Show your solution

How many ______ are there in _______

a. meters _________ = 12 yards

b. inches _________ = 6.35 cm.

c. cm. _________ = 12 inches

d. meters ________ = 120 cm.

e. Feet _________ = 40 cm.

Activity 4: ANSWER ME :
1. What is the importance of correct measurement in sewing or in making a project ?

SELF- ASSESSMENT :
Direction : Rate your understanding by putting an (X) of each topic.
Topic Description Good Better Best
I can identify the measuring tools used in taking body measurement
I can take and read accurate body measurement
I can apply the system of measurement in sewing
I can perform simple calculation in making a simple project

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