Pattern Drafting Crash Course - Measuring Your Miniature Dolls

This explains how to correctly measure your dolls in order to use the remainder of this tutorial. More information included in the full books!

Since most dolls are evenly made on both sides the measurements are taken on the half or in the case of an arc the quarter. The exception is circumference measurements, which are whole all the way around the body. It is advisable that you mark somehow either with scotch tape on the body and a pencil mark or however you are comfortable, the center front and back along with where our bust waist and hip fall. Deciding this before you start measuring will make a big difference in how your patterns will turn out and how accurate they will be. For scale and 1/2 scale miniatures use metrics as a millimeter is more accurate than rounding to the nearest fraction. When working with dolls this tiny it is imperative that your measurements be accurate.

Measurement Chart

This is a master list of all the measurements needed for all dolls. Copy the entire list and fill in the ones you need for whatever doll you are going to be currently using. Following will be explanations of how to do these measurements for each type of doll. Permission granted by author to copy this page. © 2001 Sue's Tiny Costumes

Key: A= All Dolls L= Lady dolls only C = Child dolls B = Babies M = Man	KEY
1) Full Height	A
2) Bust/Chest	A
3) Waist	A
4) Hip/Hip With Diaper	A, B

5) Center Length		Front	Back	A
6) Full Length		Front	Back	A
7) Across Shoulder		Front	Back	A
8) Side Seam Length				A
9) Shoulder Length				A
10) Shoulder Slope		Front	Back	A
11) Bust Depth				L
12) Side Seam To Floor				L, M, C
13) Back Waist To Floor				L, M, C
14) Crotch Depth				A
15) Hip Depth				A
16) Side Hip Depth				A
17) Finger Span				A
18) Wrist				A
19) Around Foot				A
20) Upper Arm				A
21) Sleeve Length				A
22) Armhole Depth				A
23)Waist To	A) Ankle	B) Knee	C) Floor	L, C
D) Short Train		E) Long Train		L
24) Inseam				A
25) Outseam				A
Waist Arc				A
Chest Arc				A
Hip Arc				A
Arms Type				A
Legs Type				A
Body Type				A
Fingers Type				A

Home > Free > Tutorials >

Measuring

Contact | Site Map | Special Sales | New Items

This site was last updated September 30, 2007
Thank you to Dean Stephen King for the years of hosting he provided.

E-mail

Your browser does not support JavaScripts please type in the address in the image. <img src="/pics/homepage/e-mail.gif"alt="e-mail" width="218" height="19">

for more information!

International? Tell me when you order and I'll adjust your patterns to your country's paper size to make printing easier!

Groups & Forums
Sue's Tiny Costumes
Sue's Tiny Costumes Class Announcements
Doll Biz Exchange
New Items and Articles !

ALL dolls mentioned by name are copyrighted by their respective companies ©Mattel, ©Pleasant Company, ©Tonner Dolls, ©Volks or ©Zapf-Creations. Sue's Tiny Costumes has no affiliation with any of the companies other than a love of the dolls they create and the love of dressing and creation of patterns for them.
* Sue's Tiny Costumes does NOT sell dolls nor is affiliated with any of the companies mentioned. Sue only makes patterns that fit these dolls and others of similar size. Any and ALL dolls shown are part of Sue's or her daughter Seraphine's personal collection and are NOT for sale. Sue's Tiny Costumes does NOT provide finished garments or items beyond downloadble patterns.