Whether you are working with a UK clothing manufacturer or a factory overseas,
you should always provide as much information as possible to ensure the garments are made to your satisfaction.
One of the most important factors that contribute to creating a good garment is the sizing.
We always recommend making a size chart yourself or at least request the size chart the factory plan on using
so you can check and confirm the measurements. It is probable that after carefully checking a standard size chart,
there will be tweaks you want to make to tailor it more towards your requirements.
If providing your own size chart, ensure this is a size chart and not a size guide.
A size guide is typically added to a brands website to give the consumer a guide to the garments sizing.
This usually includes two or three measurements such as chest width and garment length.
A size chart will typically include a lot more measurements, giving any clothing manufacturer a detailed guide on how to cut your garment.
In comparison to a size guide, our hoody size chart includes twenty separate measurements, as shown below.
If you do not have a size chart you can usually find templates on google or create your own if you have experience in the field.
Alternatively if you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
When it comes to making a size chart, you want to ensure you are measuring the garment correctly so the clothing manufacturer is getting accurate measurements. Below we will provide our 3 most important tips to measuring a garment correctly.
1. Make sure the garment is laid flat
When laying out your garment to measure, ensure the garment is laid completely flat without any creases. When your clothing manufacturer creates the pattern and cuts the panels, they will be cut without creases, so don’t provide them with measurements taken from a creased garment or your
final product will likely arrive smaller than anticipated.
2. Follow the size charts instructions to locate the correct points of measurement
It is important to follow the points of measurement that correlate the description on your size chart.
For example, on our hoody size chart, the chest measurement is 1 inch below the arm hole and not pit to pit.
On trousers, shorts or jogger measurements, the hip measurement placement will usually vary between 3.5 – 5.5 inches below the waist band on a size chart. Although these will not make a huge difference to the measurements, paying close attention to the size charts placements will ensure a more accurate garment.
3. Always measure seam to seam
Make sure your measurement starts at one seam and ends at the other.
Patterns/Toils are cut from seam to seam so make sure your measurements represent that.
Common mistakes can be made on items such as t-shirt and sweatshirt necklines where the measurements are taken from the end of the neck trim instead of the neck opening. If you have any hesitations on any measurements,
check with the clothing manufacturer to ensure you are measuring correctly.
Measurements should follow on from each other e.g. where a shoulder measurement ends, the sleeve measurement should start.
