Size charts & how to measure
Sewing lets you make something that truly fits - so choose your size by your body measurements, not your ready-to-wear size. Here's how to measure, and the full charts for every range.
Made for real bodies
Standard Β· 0β20
Our core range, drafted for a 2β³ (5 cm) difference between your upper and full bust.
Curve Β· 14β34*
Drafted on a separate block with a considered fit for curvy bodies and a 4β³ (10 cm) upper-to-full-bust difference - never a graded-up afterthought.
Mini Β· sizes 3β12
Children's patterns sized by age and body measurement, and drafted with room to grow, with the same clear instructions.
Maternity Β· XSβXL
Designed around your pre-pregnancy measurements, with room to grow through every trimester.
* Curve is being extended to size 34 - some patterns currently run 14β30 while we add the final two sizes. The available range is shown on each pattern.
How to measure your body
Choose your range to see exactly where each measurement is taken.
Full bust
Around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape level.
Upper bust
High and snug across your back, just under your arms and above your bust.
Waist
Around your natural waist - the narrowest part of your torso, which often sits higher than your navel.
Hip
Around the fullest part of your seat - the widest point, not your anatomical hip bone, which sits higher.
In the crossover sizes 14β20? If you're deciding between Standard and Curve, subtract your upper bust from your full bust - a difference of about 2β³ (5 cm) fits Standard, and about 4β³ (10 cm) fits Curve.
If your full and upper bust difference is significantly more or less than your range is drafted for, a bust adjustment will give you the best fit - see our full bust adjustment (or for princess seams), small bust adjustment and no bust adjustment tutorials on the blog.
Measure over your undergarments, keep the tape snug but not tight, and stand relaxed. Measure at the end of the day rather than first thing - most people's waist expands a little as the day goes on. For the best fit, ask a friend to help.
Wondering what height a pattern is drafted for? Height isn't used in drafting. Length is set by your inseam and waist‑to‑floor - compare those, and each pattern's finished lengths, then simply lengthen or shorten at the marked lines before you cut.
Size charts
How to choose your size
Go by your measurements
Use your body measurements, not the size you take in ready-to-wear; sizing varies hugely between brands.
Start with your bust
On tops, dresses and jackets the bust is the trickiest area to alter, so choose your size there first (using the upper-vs-full-bust guide above). Waist and hip are easier to adjust.
Blend between sizes
Every pattern is nested, so if your bust, waist and hip fall in different sizes you can grade smoothly between them for a custom fit. And if a single measurement falls between two sizes, round up - it's easier to take a garment in than to let it out.
Check the ease
Compare each pattern's finished garment measurements to your body or a favourite garment to check the fit. Pattern fit ranges from close-fitting to relaxed and oversized.
Sizing vs fit
Two different things - and the most common source of fit surprises.
Sizing
Your body measurements decide which size you cut - exactly what the charts above give you. Always choose by your measurements, not the size you take in ready-to-wear.
Fit
How the finished garment wears - your size plus the ease the designer built in, whether close-fitting, relaxed or oversized. A garment is almost never the same measurement as your body.
Most Megan Nielsen patterns are drafted with a relaxed, everyday ease through the body, with a closer fit where it matters - like the waist on our skirts and trousers. The ease is intentional, so rather than sizing up or down to change the fit, check each pattern's finished garment measurements and compare them to your body for the ease you like. And because you're sewing it yourself, you can always blend sizes, adjust the length, or tweak the ease to make it truly yours. The most common adjustments for each pattern are also walked through step by step in its free sewalong.
Find your next pattern
A few of our most-loved patterns to get you started.