Instructions in Spirella Corsetry/Chapter 11

Chapter 11: How to Measure the Body
1. Every client must be measured in exactly the same manner and at the same places on the body. You must realize, then, that to know the Spirella system is to simplify your work.

Measurements taken with the client standing in normal poise

2. Body measurements are based an the anatomy of the body. Certain points on the body determine the location of these measure- ments. That is the reason they are taken in the same way and at the same places on each client. As each measurement is taken, write it in your Memorandum Order Book.

3.	The waist line is the base from which all up and down measurements are taken; there- fore the waist measurement must be. taken first, using the tape line with the buckle-end. This must remain fixed until all measurements are taken. Measurements are taken as follows: Waist (indicated by line W-W on diagram R.) Place buckle-end tape line in a straight line around the waist, making sure that it does not curve up in the back or dip down in front; then fasten it snugly. Tuck the loose end in the top of the corset, so that the tape line around the waist will not be disturbed in any way as you proceed.

4.	Bust (indicated by line B-B on diagram R.) Stand at one side slightly behind your client, place the tape line smoothly over the fullest part of the bust and around the back about one inch above the lowest point of the shoulder blades. Do not take this measure- ment tightly.

5. Hip (indicated by line H-H on diagram R.) To insure accuracy, place pins 6½ inches below the waist line in front, at the sides and in the back; measure around the hips over these pins; draw the tape line very tightly. Be sure to remove the pins after taking this measurement.

6. Center front above waist (indicated by line 1-2 on diagram S.)	Measure from bottom of the tape line at the waist up the center front to a paint sufficiently high an the body to assist in controlling the position of the breasts. This body measurement helps you to decide the

height of the clasp.

7.	Center bust (indicated by line 3-4 on diagram S.) Measure from bottom of the tape line at the waist up to the center of the breast.

8. Under arm (indicated by line 5-6 on diagram S.) Measure from bottom of the tape line at the waist up under the arm to a paint on a level with the measurement taken around the bust. The client's arm should not be raised while taking this measurement.

9. Back above waist (in. dicated by line 7-8 an dia- gram T.) Measure from bot- tom of the tape line at the waist straight up to a point about one inch above the lowest paint of the shoulder blade.

10. Back below waist (indicated by line 9-10 on diagram U.) Measure from bottom of the tape line at the waist straight dawn over the back hip to the back of the leg, entirely covering the curve of the flesh. This measurement is taken directly under the measurement for back above waist line.

11.	Hip length (indicated by line 11-12 on dia gram V.)	Measure from bottom of the tape line at the waist straight down over the side hip to a

paint on the leg, suffi- ciently low to cover the curve of the flesh.

12. Groin lengths (indicated by line 13- 14-15 on diagram V.) Measure from bottom of the tape line at the waist, down to the groin (the bend of the leg just above the thigh) and from there down to a point on the leg sufficiently low to cover any flesh it may be necessary to control. This gives two lengths; the actual groin length (see diagram 5 ) and the length to cover leg flesh.

13. Center front be- low waist (indicated by line 16-17 on diagram V. )	Measure from bot- tom of the tape line at the waist down to the upper edge of the pelvic arch. Draw the tape line taut to get a flat measure. This body measure helps you to decide the length of the clasp.

18. As the different measurements are obtained, in the order given, they should be written in the spaces in your Memorandum Order Book provided for the actual measurements. There is also a place to check figure description. Check off those which describe your client. In this way you keep an accurate record of her body measurements and conditions. This is essential to assist you in a careful study of the figure and to select the corset which will best care for your client's needs.

19.	NEVER TEAR THIS SHEET FROM YOUR MEMORANDUM ORDER BOOK, AS IT IS YOUR ONLY PERMANENT RECORD OF THE CLIENT'S ACTUAL BODY MEASUREMENTS AND CONDITIONS. THE SPIRELLA SYSTEM OF MEASURING THE BODY