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I need help finding my size for the ball gown bodice 442.
Can somebody PLEASE help me. MY brain is dead, my wedding date is looming and I apparently forgot math. I still need to make one more bodice, MINE! Go figure. I got my friend to messure me, when I messured myself I got WAY different numbers. Their numbers; back width 13",back length 17", bust 46" arm hole 20". My numbers back width 16", back length 16", bust 48" and arm hole 19". I couldn't see the tape as they messured.

[Heather]

It is so hard to choose sizing when you are unsure of your measures. I would recommend getting your measures taken again.

In the mean time, I find that most people take the bust measure too low in the back, and that will typically make the bust measure 2" to small. When measuring yourself, often you will try to overcompensate for your lack of control of what is at your back, and you will take the measure good and high, as it should always be taken. So I would trust that your 48" bust measure is more correct than the 46".

When measuring your back length, make sure that you hold your head up and straight. Often, people will duck their head forwards when they feel another person at the back of their neck, and this will lengthen the back length. So I would hazard a guess that your 16" is closer than their 17" Also, when measuring, it really helps to tie a string around your waist to exactly determine where to measure too. Middle of bone at the base of the neck to string at waist.

Back width, 3" is a huge discrepancy. I imagine the correct measure is somewhere in between. You want to find the imaginary spot where the arm attaches to the shoulder. This spot should be measured in the middle between armpit and shoulder point. The measure isn't as critical, so 1/2" either side isn't that big a deal. When you do the math later to select sizing, any size you choose will be compensated for when choosing the front sizes. In other words, so long as you bust measure is correct, what ever sizes the math says you need will fit. It will just mean the armhole might need some fitting.

For the armhole, drop your arm down natural to take the measure, with the tape over the point of your shoulder. Not too snug, but not too loose either. And measure both sides, as often we have built up muscle tone more in one arm than the other. 1/2" difference between left and right is very common. As sleeves tend to run a tad large in the pattern, I usually go with the smaller number for armhole.

I hope this helps.

Thanks so much Heather, this really helps me out.