Where to get dress measurements?

I have to get measured for a bridesmaid dress for my friend's wedding. Is there a place I can go here in the UK to just get fitted? Any kind of tailors....?? I'm clueless. The wedding is in America so we will have to convert the measurements.

Just a suggestion, but can't you measure yourself?  Also, most tape measures have both inches and centimeters.

Just a suggestion, but can't you measure yourself?  Also, most tape measures have both inches and centimeters.

It's hard to do it right yourself.

Don't worry about the conversion, that's easy to do afterwards.

Try googling "your city + tailor" or "your city + dressmaking + alterations"

Again, conversion shouldn't be an issue because tape measures have both inches and centimeters.   

It's hard to do it right yourself.

Don't worry about the conversion, that's easy to do afterwards.

Try googling "your city + tailor" or "your city + dressmaking + alterations"

I agree with Cheesebiscuit.  Get someone to do it for you.  I've been sewing my own clothes for years, and for anything that I want to really fit perfectly, I *never* do my own measurements.  I always get someone else to help out.

I live nowhere near a tailor, but the lady who owns the dry-cleaners in my town also does alterations.  Maybe a dry-cleaners near you would have someone who could do it?

You may want to chek if there're any bridal / formal wear shops near you besides tailors and dressmakers.   

Alternatively try http://www.yell.com/ putting in dressmaker, bridal wear, formal wear or tailor etc and your postcode.

Good luck!

Again, conversion shouldn't be an issue because tape measures have both inches and centimeters.   

I'm able to read, please don't restate things at me when I'm trying to help, I find it very bad netiquette. Thank you.

What I was alluding to is that it doesn't matter if the OP only gets one set of measurements in inches or cms as it can easily be converted afterwards.

Also you've said "most" tape measures yourself, it is a possibility that she'll only get measurements in one set of units BUT as I've stated, she doesn't need to worry about this.

As someone who can sew and does make their own skirts/dresses I only like to work in one set of units (inches in my case, I don't know why) and my tape measure has the CMs on the reverse so I wouldn't take them down if I was measuring someone.

I would also disagree strongly again with the advice for the OP to do it herself, especially if she has no sewing experience, she'll likely measure in the wrong places and the dress wont fit properly, a bridesmaid dress is not a knitted sweater

Hopefully without adding to a strangely contentious subject; pick a dressmaker at random in the UK and there's a good chance they work in inches anyway.

Rather than converting, which can introduce rounding errors, I'd make sure to ask to be measured in inches (assuming that's what's needed in the US.)

I would also disagree strongly again with the advice for the OP to do it herself, especially if she has no sewing experience, she'll likely measure in the wrong places and the dress wont fit properly, a bridesmaid dress is not a knitted sweater

I also sew (a LOT) and I second this!

It's not to say you have to go and hire someone to do it, more that in the contortions you have to do to measure yourself, you often end up distorting the readings. And you're more likely to tighten the measuring tape to get a flattering number rather than an accurate one if you're doing it yoursef! Naughty!

This is a good visual guide for measuring, though I would say to have your friend do ALL the measurements on you. I also like that this guide shows you how to do a bust measurement AND a high bust measurement, which is incredibly important if you're larger than a B cup.

I can never figure out what is meant by "natural waistline". The smallest part of my torso is just under my boobs. There is about a four inch difference between that and the measurement around my belly button.

It's usually the smallest part of your torso, but not always, and everyone's built differently. If you bend to one side, then the other, your waist will be where the creases form on the side you're leaning towards. It will generally fall somewhere between your chest and your belly button.

I did that a few years ago, I had a friend measure me, she knew how to sew so I thought she was the best person for it. Also, when the dress came it had to be taken in anyway, so there was some room for error. The dress was great in the end.

I've needed to get measured before and I never felt welcomed if I went to a dress shop. I wasn't buying anything there so they weren't too keen to help me. They'd do it, but they seemed really annoyed. If I had to do it again, I would go to a tailor.

I also sew (a LOT) and I second this!

You sew properly though, things people can actually wear, and complicated things -  I make lots of A line skirts And cushion covers. And little monsters with big eyes

Speaking of sewing... I really want to learn! I need to take classes!