Scroll down for clarifications to each measurement.

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Clarifications:

Height does not include the doll’s hair, but is only measuring from the top of the doll’s actual head to the flat surface I stand them on, when measuring. Before measuring, I always stand the doll on their bare feet, not shoes. If the doll has a foot that’s formed for wearing high heels, I use the flat of the toe area to stand them on, measuring from the top of the actual head to the the surface they’re standing on.

The measurement for the sleeve inseam includes a measurement from the doll’s underarm to what would be the end of a doll’s cuff, when wearing a collared shirt.

The sleeve circumference measurement is a measurement of the widest part of the doll’s arm. If the doll has stiff, wide-spread fingers, I may measure the spread of the hand for this measurement, to make sure the doll’s hand will go through a sleeve, from the arm hole all the way to (and through) the cuff of a long sleeve.

Where it says “underarm to waist,” this is a measurement of the underarm seam area to the true waist. If you’re not sure what is meant by “true waist,” that’s where the doll’s belly button would be, if the doll had one. If your doll has wider hips than his/her belly, you can measure the true waist by placing a rubber band around the doll’s belly. Where it rests naturally is the “true waist” for most of these dolls.

The doll’s pants inseam refers to the length of the doll’s leg from crotch to just below the ankle bone (if the doll had one) on the inside of the leg. If the doll doesn’t have an ankle bone that’s prominent enough to tell where it is, you have to get creative and imagine one!

The doll’s pants outseam refers to the length of the doll’s leg from the waist, over the hip, to just below the ankle bone.

The doll’s leg circumference is typically taken at the upper thigh. It’s a measurement of the waist at its widest point. For some dolls with extra large, unbendable feet, I take the measurement at the feet, to make sure the doll’s foot will go through the pant leg.

If you need a tape measure, Dritz is a trusted company that makes sewing supplies of a high quality. For dolls, I recommend getting a narrow one, like the 3/8 inch tape measure by Dritz.

For more of my free sewing and crafting tutorials, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, ChellyWood1.

I actually include an extensive explanation about how to measure your dolls in my “How to Alter Doll Clothes Patterns” course on the C&T Publishing learning platform. This class will teach you how to alter pants, skirts, dresses, and shirts too. If you haven’t looked into it yet, you can click here to learn more.

Please visit ChellyWood.com for free printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.I also have a new course on the C&T Publishing website which teaches you how to design your own doll pants patterns from scratch, including leggings, overalls, and fly-front jeans. Click here to check out that new course, which is only $19.99!

For any class on C&T Publishing’s website, you don’t have to follow a schedule. Just sign up when you’re ready.

It’s a one-time fee for the course, and there’s no specific time limit to finish your course. You can just take your time and learn at the pace that suits you. So go check out my paid courses on the C&T Publishing website, using this link.

As always, feel free to pin, like, or tweet about my free patterns and tutorials.

To read more about my free sewing patterns and tutorials, please visit the “Helpful Tips” page.

Disclaimer/Credit/Affiliate Marketing Link:

Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, Etsy, and the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my website uses affiliate marketing, please visit the website’s Privacy Policy page.

To honor the trademark rights of the doll companies mentioned in this blog post, I am including links to their websites here. Please feel free to visit their website and consider purchasing one or more of the dolls mentioned.

If you’d like to learn more about vintage Tammy dolls or the Ideal Toy Company (which used to produce them), please click on the links provided. Note that ChellyWood.com is not connected to the Ideal Toy Company or its affiliates. However I, Chelly Wood, like to design clothes to fit the dolls their company created.