In the days before mass-produced clothing, the first thing a sales clerk did when you wanted a particular garment was to whip out a tape measure.  These days, we depend on sizes -- and you've likely found, much to your dismay, that a size 8 in one store is something entirely different in another.  In addition, the way sizes are figured internationally is different than the way they are done in the US (where savy manufacturers have realized that putting a smaller size number in a garment often makes ego-driven customers more willing to buy). I'm sure that concept doesn't apply to you.

The only way to truly ensure that you're getting a garment that fits (especially if you order through a catalogue or over the internet) is to have accurate measurements of yourself.  As you'll find out this week, there are tricks to getting the right numbers.  With the holidays approaching and someone bound to ask, "What size do you wear in a sweater?" there's no time like the present to update your stat sheet.

To us, you're always the perfect size, so don't worry.  We appreciate the opportunity to serve your textile care and sewing needs.  See you soon!

Meanwhile, check out the sewing coupons in this news letter. 

Jim Nixon
The Cleaners
(and Tailors)

Know Your Numbers

Why would you ever want to hassle with getting a full set of measurements on yourself?  There are lots of great reasons.

• Bodybuilders or those just getting in shape will often put ON weight when they start an exercise program, because they're losing fat but building muscle mass (which is heavier than fat.)  The true test of how well they're doing is measurements, not weight.
• Having a custom garment made will require accurate measurements so that the garment will fit as well as it should.
• Sizes aren't all the same from store to store, much less internationally.  In today's global market, to be sure you're getting the right size you need to know YOUR numbers, not theirs.

We Can Handle That

You know that we replace a button on occasion, or sew up a ripped pocket.  But did you know that we offere more extensive tailoring services than that?  If you've put on a few pounds, lost a few, or bought something that just doesn't fit right, we can make the adjustments for you.  With three pieces of regular drycleaning, have an item repaired or tailored and take $5 off the bill.  We'd be SEW happy to do it for you.
Include the first page of this e-mail with your order.  Offer expires October 11, 2003.  Cannot be combined with other offers (you knew that didn't you?)

How Do You Measure Up?

Hey!  That diagram looks pretty complicated.  Can it really be that difficult to take your measurements? (NOTE:  The drawing above is not as clear as it could be.  Click on the image and you'll go to the site it came from for clearer drawings and full instructions.)

Measuring yourself is not rocket science, but it does demand accuracy if you want your clothing to fit properly.  Many people don't bother to measure themselves for two reasons:

• They aren't quite sure how to do it or what measurements are important, and are embarrassed to ask about something they think they should already know. 
• They don't have a measuring tape (really.)

To address the second issue, you can actually DOWNLOAD a measuring tape.  (The internet has everything, after all.)  Click the link below to open a PDF file by L.L. Bean.  Follow the directions to print out the pages and then connect the sections of printed tape to form a complete measuring tape.  If it bothers you that it's black and white, print it on colored paper.

• Measuring tape

How to Measure -- The Ground Rules

First of all, commit yourself to total honesty.  No matter how much it hurts, you have to make realistic measurements in order to have clothing fit properly (or to gauge your progress if you're a body builder.)

• Dress in your regular undergarments when taking measurements.  This more closely approximates your shape when you will be wearing clothing.
• Never "suck in" your stomach or otherwise accentuate your figure when you're measuring.  Stand comfortably, as you normally will when wearing the garment.
• Don't pull the measuring tape tightly around yourself.  Put it around so that a finger can easily be inserted between the tape and you.
• Have paper and pen ready to write down the various measurements, and have a friend help if possible, since it's easier to get the tape aligned correctly.  If you want to do it alone, stand in front of a mirror to check the tape before jotting the figures.
• If you are physically challenged in some way and can't handle the tape, select garments from your wardrobe that fit properly.  Measure the garment and record the numbers, indicating these are garment measurements, not body measurements.
• You can also use a string as your measuring device, and then lay the string along a yardstick to get the length.  The only drawback to this technique is that it must not be string that will stretch, or you may have it stretched when you're using it and then compressed when you're measuring it on the yardstick.

Tips for Measuring

The most common measurements are the ones we're most familiar with -- in Women, the bust, waist and hip measurements; in Men, the neck, chest, waist and inseam.  As you can see from the diagrams on this page, there are myriad other measurements, and these are usually the ones which, if wrong, make your clothes feel "not quite right."  For this reason, a complete set of measurements should be taken if you are having clothes custom-made, or if you are ordering them sight-unseen.

Men's Measurements

• Neck: Measure around the widest part of the neck.  Try to keep your arms down when measuring, since raising them changes the muscle tension in your neck.  If you are measuring for a casual shirt, find one that fits your neck properly, and measure around the top edge of the folded-over collar.  For dress shirts, use the actual measurement of your neck.
• Chest: You are measuring the fullest part of your chest -- under your arms, with the tape going over your shoulder blades in back.
• Waist: Your natural waistline is just above your hipbones.  Find your hip bones and then position the tape so that it goes around you above that point.  Put one finger between yourself and the tape for the best measurement.  If you are measuring yourself for a belt, add two inches to the waist measurement.
• Inseam: Select a pair of pants that you know fits you properly and measure from the cuff to the crotch seam.

Women's Measurements:

• Bust:  There are two parts of the bust measurement to determine the correct size for a bra-- band size and cup size.  Note: Always wear a bra while measuring for bra size. The band size is measured snugly around your ribcage below your bust, all the way around your body.  Add 5 to this measurement.  This number (32, 34, 36, etc.) is your band size.  Moving the tape to the fullest part of your bustline, measure and then subtract your band size (not the ribcage measurement) from it.  The difference gives your cup size -- 1" = A, 2" = B, 3" =C, 4" =D.  So, if your Band Size is 34, and your Bust measurement is 36, you need a bra that is a 34D.
• Waist:  Measure yourself where you are smallest in the middle.  If you are someone who "has no waist" then take the measurement at navel line.  You know you are at the smallest part when the tape resists sliding either up or down to reach the narrowest part.
• Hips: Generally measured starting about 7 inches below the waist, but if you are wider lower than that, measure where you are widest.
• Inseam: Find a pair of slacks that are the length you like, and measure from the bottom of the hem to the seam at the crotch and record that number.

You should redo your measurements at least twice a year, so that you are current on what size you really are.  Often, people will continue to buy clothes in the same size year after year, and then complain that designers have changed the sizes.  While fluctuations in sizing structure does occur, the most common change is in the human body itself.  If you are dieting, measuring yourself ever few months will encourage you to keep on your plan as you see the evidence of loss written down in black and white.

When you are measuring, it would be most efficient to record the numbers in both inches and millimeters.  In our global economy, chances are you will eventually buy something that comes from the rest of the world, where they don't use inches any more -- and with NAFTA, clothing from Canada and Mexico are more prevalent than ever before.  In addition, you can't rely on "size" charts from overseas, either.  In many cases, international sizes are one or even two sizes different (so an American 8 might be a 10 (one size) or a 12 (two sizes) in European clothing.)

To learn more about accurate measuring:

• Click the graphic of men's measurements above to go to an extensive article and clearer drawings.
• Sizing charts and measuring tips.
• Sizing information and measuring tips from The Gap.
• Specific instructions and diagrams for men's measurements.
• Bridal fashion measuring tips.
• If you like to sew, you can order patterns that have already been sized to YOUR measurements!
• Measurements for fitness training.

SEWING COUPON

You say you didn't like the first coupon? Well try this; Winter weather is coming - so now is the time to spruce up your wardrobe with some alterations or repairs so we invite you to
Take 10% off the price of any sewing order.
Include a copy of this coupon with your order. 
Coupon expires October 11, 2003.  Can't be used with other coupons or VIP.

This week's featured retail partner is:
Coldwater Creek.
We have teamed up with selected merchants to provide you with one stop online shopping. Click on the Coldwater Creek graphic and it will open in a new browser window where you'll be able to shop online. For you men, there's a link to Paul Fredrick and Jos. A Bank.

We Got an E-Mail!
Someone inquired about the opening date of our new Greeley store on 47th Avenue.
My Reply:
BEAT'S ME. No, seriously, we will open  Centerplace around  October 15th.