The question of how to measure a child for a First Communion dress terrifies many parents. After all, a First Communion dress must be perfect, so it must also be measured perfectly. The fact is that correctly taken measurements are the foundation of a well-tailored dress. However, experience shows that customers who measure their children themselves very rarely make mistakes. All you need to do is follow a few basic rules.
Preparing to Measure a First Communion Outfit
Measuring children isn’t difficult, but it does require a little preparation. To take the measurements, you’ll need a tape measure, a piece of paper, and a pen. Additionally, a piece of elastic, string, or a belt comes in handy to tie around the child’s waist. Tying the string is a very simple way to mark the waistline.
Taking Measurements
The first and most important rule: the child you’re measuring should be down to a T-shirt. It’s impossible to measure a child accurately if they’re wearing loose pants and a thick sweater—and this happens often, since measurements are frequently taken in the winter.
First, take the string and tie it at waist level, allowing it to fit the body comfortably. This line is particularly important for measuring First Communion pants as well as dresses that are cut at the waist.
Next, measure the child’s chest circumference and waist circumference. Take both of these measurements using a tape measure held snugly against the body. The tape measure must not be too tight; it must allow for freedom of movement (breathing) while still hugging the body’s contours. When measuring the child, do not add any extra allowance—the manufacturer should account for this in the ordered alb.
Another measurement is the total length. Measure this from the seventh cervical vertebra to the ground. The child should stand upright, barefoot on the ground. The seventh cervical vertebra is easy to feel—it is the last cervical vertebra, also known as the protruding vertebra.
What about the other measurements?
The child’s other measurements depend on these three previously measured dimensions. Shoulder width is determined by the chest circumference. Sleeve length, in turn, is closely related to the child’s height. To be sure, you can check these measurements and compare them with our standard size charts.
Of course, there are children who do not fit into our size charts. Contrary to what it may seem, however, there are not many of them. If your child does not fit into our standard size charts, please contact us by email—we will certainly be able to tailor a First Communion outfit for your child as well.
MK Maryla Size Charts
At MK Maryla, we use measurement charts based on circumference, height, and body type. This is because we are aware that children’s body types vary significantly. A child who is 146 cm tall may have a chest circumference of either 60 cm or 90 cm. MK Maryla’s size charts are very detailed—for albs and loose-fitting dresses, the chest measurement pse-grid is in 4-cm increments; for form-fitting dresses, the charts are in 2-cm increments; and for pants, in 3-cm increments.
The measurement sequence is as follows: when placing an order, first specify the child’s height, then measure the chest circumference and find the value closest to the child’s size, measure the waist circumference, and compare it to the chest circumference to determine the body type (slender / normal / curvy). Finally, to be sure, measure the total back length (from the 7th vertebra to the ground). The total back length should be about 20–24 cm shorter than the child’s height.
The entire process takes 2–3 minutes and isn’t complicated. It simply requires a moment of calm and focus. Experience shows that the vast majority of parents have no trouble measuring their children.
