To measure items that need shortening, you have a few options.

1. The most accurate option:
   Put on your item, stand up straight and have a friend help to pin or mark the fabric with chalk where you’d like it to end up. Standing up straight is important, as bending over to do this yourself will change the length hugely!

2. If you’re on your own:
   Lay your item out flat, and take a similar garment that is the correct length and lay it on top. Use this to make a mark/pin on the item that needs altering. Make sure to line everything up at the top as best you can!

Important Note 1: Once you have pinned or marked your fabric, if you have the ability to measure the amount that needs removing this is super helpful as pins can fall out and chalk markings can rub off in the post! If you have no way to measure, then please use a safety pin :)

Important Note 2: I only need a single pin/mark to do an even hem all the way around, so don’t worry about using lots of pins and getting a nice straight line, I’ll make sure everything is measured, even and neat before I start cutting and sewing!

Making the waist smaller:
To measure how much smaller you need the waistband of trousers/skirts, simply put on the item, do up all zips and buttons. Pinch the fabric at any point along the waistband until it feels comfortable and secure tightly with a safety pin or two.

Don’t worry about where this pin is along the waistband, I will simply use it as a measurement of how much needs removing altogether, leave it to me to distribute this evenly across the waist!

Making the waist larger:
This is a little trickier to measure at home, but not impossible. Your options are as follows:

1. Compare with an existing item: Take an existing, similar item with a waist size that fits well, and lay it out flat. Lay your too-small item on top, lining up the waistband at the top, and to one side. Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the difference between the two, and take a picture of this to add to the postal alterations form - this will help me ensure that I get the right sizing!

1. Measure your waist circumference: Using a flexible measuring tape, pass this around your body at the place where you would like the waistband of the garment to sit. (Note: this may not be your natural high waist, especially with lower-rise jeans or trousers). Make a note of this measurement, I will compare it to the waistband of the item and add fabric accordingly.

Note: if you do not have a flexible measuring tape, use a piece of string or ribbon, pass it around your waist and mark where it joins up. Then, lay this out flat and measure using any measuring tape or ruler!