How to Measure Your Neckline
by Mrs. Moriya Chesler
Perhaps it is time to learn how to take measurements for making a modest top: blouse, shirt, shell, dickey, etc. There are several body measurements that are important. This article will focus on measuring the neckline.
Taking the measurement of your natural neckline requires practice but it can be accomplished easily with the help of a chain necklace that sits comfortably on the neck. As a clothing designer, I’ve created information for the aspiring dressmaker on how to take the natural neckline measurement accurately.
Besides tznius reasons, it’s important to wear a garment whose neckline is comfortable because it has been designed and sewn correctly. Here are a few scenarios in which the garment neckline is not right on the wearer.
Neckline is Too Low
When the neckline is too low, it violates the tznius requirements.
Neckline is Too High
When the neckline is too high, it may be uncomfortable for the wearer and also show unpleasing drag lines on the garment.
Neckline is Too Narrow
When the garment neckline is too narrow even though it may be on the right height, unpleasing tension lines appear on the garment and may be uncomfortable for the wearer.
Neckline is Too Wide
When the garment neckline is too wide, it violates the tznius requirements.
Neckline is Just Right
When the garment neckline is just right, it is both comfortable and tzanua (modest) on the wearer.
How to take natural neckline measurements
Step One
Place a fitting necklace on the base of the neck, so that it rests comfortably around the curvature of the neck. The necklace serves as a handy guide if it sits naturally on the base of the neck. If it is either too high or too low, too wide or too narrow, it is not at the right place.
You may wonder where then is the base of the neck? When you bend the neck sideways, crease lines form at the base of the neck telling you exactly where it meets the shoulder and this is the base of the neck. It is important to know that the shoulder is not part of the neck. The shoulder is the slanted area below the neck.
Step Two
Place the tape measure following the contour line of the necklace. Take the measurement to the nearest quarter inch or tenth of a centimeter.
You will find that the necklace sits higher on the back of the neck than the front. This is to be expected.
The back necklace should rest comfortably above the back prominent cervical bone, which is higher than the front collar bone. If you want to know where your prominent back cervical bone is, you may consult this diagram.
Take your neckline measurements three times or more for accuracy, just like in any scientific experiment to rule out errors in your data collection.
You can download a PDF file of this tutorial on my website here. B’hatzlacha and let me know if you need assistance.
The next tutorial, be”H (with Hashem’s help), will focus on measuring the shoulder slant.