Good measurements can still go wrong on the way to the tailor: a missing unit, a number in the wrong box, a body number read as a garment number. This lesson shows how to send measurements clearly, using a measurement card and WhatsApp, and how to keep your information private.

Three versions of a one-page measurement card, for women, men and children: name, date, in or cm and body or garment tick boxes, bra or inner layer and footwear lines, numbered boxes matching the course diagrams (1 to 17 for women, M1 to M12 for men, height, chest and more for children), notes lines, and a Dreams and Designs footer with the link and copyright
One card each for women, men and children, with boxes numbered to match the diagrams.

What you’ll learn

  • What a clear measurement card holds.
  • How to send measurements by WhatsApp so nothing is lost.
  • Which photos help, and which you should never send.
  • How to protect your measurements and photos.

The measurement card

A card puts every number in a named box, so nobody has to guess. Whatever card you use, it should hold:

  • Your name and the date you measured.
  • The unit: inches or centimetres, ticked once for the whole card.
  • Body or garment: were these taken on you, or from a garment that fits?
  • What you wore: the bra or inner layer, and the footwear for long lengths.
  • Each measurement in its own box, with the same name and number as the diagram.
  • Notes: posture (one shoulder lower, measured seated), fit preference (close, easy), and the occasion and date you need the garment.

D&D is preparing printable measurement cards for women, men and children, matched to the diagrams in this course. Until then, copy the list above into your notes app and fill it in.

Sending by WhatsApp

  1. Type the numbers as text, one per line, name first: “Bust (1): 36 in”. Text can be copied straight onto the tailor’s card; a photo of handwriting can be misread.
  2. Start with the unit and “body” or “garment”.
  3. Add photos of a garment that fits, laid flat, front and back, with a tape beside it.
  4. Add your design idea: a sketch, a picture of the style, the fabric.
  5. Say when you need it.
  6. Read it back before sending: every number with a name and the unit at the top.

Never send photos of yourself without clothes, or in underwear, to anyone, for measuring. No tailor needs them. If someone asks for them, that is a warning sign: stop and don’t send. A photo of a garment laid flat, or of you fully dressed in a fitted outfit if you choose, is all that’s ever needed.

At Dreams & Designs, you can message us on WhatsApp with your measurements, a photo of a garment laid flat and your design idea. We take or check measurements in the studio whenever you can come in.

Keeping your measurements private
  • Measurements are personal information. Share them only with the tailor or shop making your garment.
  • Ask how they will be kept and who will see them. A good tailor will tell you.
  • Don’t post them in public groups or comments, even when asking for advice.
  • Photos stay on your phone: delete measuring photos and videos once you have your numbers.
  • For someone else (a parent, a child, a client): ask before sharing their measurements, and share only what’s needed.
  • Children’s photos: send garments, not children, wherever possible.
  • Legal questions about how a business must store personal data are for a lawyer; this course doesn’t answer them.
A sample message

Copy and fill in. Keep the names the same as the diagrams.

  • Name, and the date measured.
  • Unit: inches. Body measurements. Bra: the one I’ll wear. Footwear: 2 in heels.
  • Bust (1): … · Under-bust (2): … · Waist (3): … · Apex to apex (4): …
  • Shoulder to apex (5): … · Front length (6): … · Front neck depth (7): … from neck point
  • Armhole (8): … · Sleeve length (9): … · Sleeve round (10): … · Sleeve end round (11): …
  • Shoulder (12): … · Back neck depth (13): … from nape · Blouse length (14): … at front
  • Notes: right shoulder a little lower; like an easy fit at the armhole; for a wedding on …
  • Photos: my green blouse, laid flat, front and back, with tape.
Tips, tricks and hacks
  • Keep a master note on your phone with all your numbers and dates.
  • One message, not ten: send numbers in one message, photos in the next.
  • Number your photos in the caption: “1 front, 2 back, 3 neckline”.
  • Send the card as text and as a photo if you filled in a paper card.
  • Ask the tailor to confirm the numbers back to you, or to send their card.
  • Use the same names as the tailor’s card, or the diagram numbers.
  • Include your height: it helps a tailor sense-check lengths.
  • Voice notes are fine for fit preferences, never for numbers.
  • Keep your copy until the garment is fitted.
  • Re-send for each order; bodies change, and old numbers can be on file.
Problems and how to fix them

The tailor misread a number.

  1. Send numbers as typed text, not handwriting.
  2. Ask them to read the card back.
  3. Prevention: names and units with every number.

The tailor added ease to garment measurements.

  1. Ask for it to be taken in.
  2. Show the message that said “garment”.
  3. Prevention: put “garment measurements – please don’t add ease” at the top.

I sent centimetres; they used inches.

  1. Contact them before cutting.
  2. Re-send with the unit in every line.
  3. Prevention: unit at the top and in every line.

Someone asked me for photos without clothes.

  1. Don’t send them. No tailor needs them.
  2. Offer a garment laid flat, or come in person.
  3. Prevention: choose tailors you can visit or who are known to others you trust.

My photos were blurry.

  1. Retake in daylight, from directly above.
  2. Put the tape in the photo.
  3. Prevention: check each photo before sending.

I don’t know which measurements this tailor wants.

  1. Ask for their card.
  2. Send the full set from this course; they’ll use what they need.
  3. Prevention: ask before you start measuring.

The old numbers on file were used.

  1. Send new numbers with the date.
  2. Ask them to note “updated”.
  3. Prevention: always date your card.
Beginner mistakes and myths
  • Numbers with no names.
  • No unit.
  • “Photos of me would be easier.” Never without clothes. Garments laid flat are better anyway.
  • Sending last year’s card.
As a hobby, for earning, for teaching

As a hobby: a dated card for yourself and your family is a useful record of growth and change.

For earning: a clear card and a written privacy habit (who sees measurements, how long you keep them) build client trust. Ask a lawyer about any legal duties.

For teaching: have learners send each other a mock card by message, then check what got lost.

Check yourself
  • Is the unit at the top, and body or garment ticked?
  • Does every number have a name?
  • Did you send garment photos only, never body photos without clothes?
  • Is the card dated?
Key terms
  • Measurement card: a form with a named box for each measurement.
  • Personal information: details about a person, including their measurements.
Sources and uncertain points
  • General tailoring practice.
  • For Poornima to confirm: the D&D measurement card (printable, women’s, men’s and children’s) is described as “being prepared”; it does not exist yet. The WhatsApp line reuses the wording of the original lesson; no new promise is made.
  • No legal advice: data-protection duties for businesses are for a lawyer.
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