Size guide

How are French Poetry sizes calculated?

French Poetry, as most other sewing patterns brands, keeps the same gap between each size at bust, waist and hips. There is a 4cm (about 1.6inch) difference at bust, waist and hips from sizes 2 to 16 (XS to XL), and a 5cm (2”) from size 16 to 34 (XL to 6XL).

This means your French Poetry size may have a very different number from your usual size. What matters is your measurements, to get the best possible fit!

Also, most of us are in between several sizes: a 2 at waist, a 4 at hips, a 6 at bust… This is where the magic of sewing is: with a sewing pattern, you can just trace a line between your different sizes (example: a 12 at bust, a 14 at hips…) and fit the garment to your body shape. This is something you couldn’t do in ready-to-wear!

How to take your measurements

You will find below the table of body measurements. Take your measurements with a tailor’s tape. The tape must always be parallel to the floor. It is a good idea to have someone measure you instead of doing it alone: you must be relaxed, keep your arms to your sides, and the tape should not dig anywhere. You want the garment to fit you at all times, even after a good meal! When taking your measurements, only wear underwear or something lightweight like a leotard. Wearing jeans does make a difference.

Measure your bust at its fullest point, wearing the same kind of bra/underwear that you intend to wear with your future garment. To find where your natural waist is, bend to the side: your waist is where your body bends naturally. Then take the measurement at this point. Lastly, measure your hips at their fullest point (usually around the seat). The body measurements table indicates your French Poetry size.

You will then find on each sewing pattern’s page the finished garments measurements as well as indications on how to choose the best size for this garment (it is the case for all new sewing patterns, and I’m slowly updating all older sewing patterns). For example, for a dress that is very fitted at bust and flared at hips, I advise to choose the size closest to your bust measurements, and if your hips are one size bigger you may not need to adjust. This depends on how much ease the design of the garment has.

Why are pattern pieces shaped a little differently from one size range to another?

The size range XL/6XL (16-34) is not an enlarged version of base pattern in sizes XS-XL (2-16). It is entirely re-drafted for each new size range and tested out on live models, which may cause slight variations in the shape of pattern pieces.

When conceiving a sewing pattern, it is first drafted in a base size which is the middle size of the range (an M for the XS-XL range, and a 3XL for the XL/6XL range). It can then be enlarged to a maximum of 5 sizes above, and reduced to a maximum of 5 sizes below. If more sizes are needed, a new base pattern needs to be drafted in another base size, and a new size range needs to be created. This is essential to design patterns suited to actual body shapes. For example, if a pattern was simply enlarged from size XS following the same rules up to size 6XL, it would be much too large at shoulders.

The picture shows a dress form with lines at bust, waist and hips

Measurements in centimeters

The matching below between French Poetry size and ready-to-wear sizes is indicative only, as it will vary from one brand to another. Please check your own measurements for precise sizing. Patterns are designed for a 168cm height and include lengthening/shortening lines.

Size range XS to XL (2 to 16)

French Poetry size 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Intl size XS S M M L L L XL
US size 0 2 4 6/8 10 12 14/16 18
EU size 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46
UK/AU sizes 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Bust measurement 80 to 83cm 84 to 87cm 88 to 91cm 92 to 95cm 96 to 99cm 100 to 103cm 104 to 107cm 108 to 111cm
Waist measurement 60 to 63cm 64 to 67cm 68 to 71cm 72 to 75cm 76 to 79cm 80 to 83cm 84 to 87cm 88 to 91cm
Hips measurement 86 to 89cm 90 to 93cm 94 to 97cm 98 to 101cm 102 to 105cm 106 to 109cm 110 to 113cm 114 to 117cm

Size range XL to 6XL (16 to 34)

Patterns adapted in this new size range have been entirely redrafted to offer a flattering cut. This is why, if you compare the two size ranges, you may find that pattern pieces have a slightly different shape.

French Poetry size 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34
Intl size XL XL 2XL 3XL 3XL 4XL 4XL 5XL 5XL 6XL
US size 12W 14W 16W 18W 20W 22W 24W 26W 28W 30W
EU size 48 48/50 50 54W 56W 58W 60W 62W 64W 66W
UK/AU size 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36
Bust measurement 108 to 112cm 113 to 117cm 118 to 122cm 123 to 127cm 128 to 132cm 133 to 137cm 138 to 142cm 143 to 147cm 148 to 152cm 153 to 157cm
Waist measurement 88 to 97cm 98 to 102cm 103 to 107cm 108 to 112cm 113 to 117cm 118 to 122cm 123 to 127cm 128 to 132cm 133 to 137cm 138 to 142cm
Hips measurement 114 to 118cm 119 to 123cm 124 to 128cm 129 to 133cm 134 to 138cm 139 to 143cm 144 to 148cm 149 to 153cm 154 to 158cm 159 to 163cm

Advanced measurements for adjustments (advanced sewists)

Arm length 60cm 60cm 60cm 60cm 60cm 60cm 60cm 60cm 60cm 60cm
Bicep 35cm 36.3cm 37.5cm 38.8cm 40cm 41.3cm 42.5cm 43.8cm 45cm 46.3cm
Across shoulder width 41.4cm 42.7cm 43.9cm 45.2cm 46.4cm 47.7cm 48.9cm 50.2cm 51.4cm 52.7cm
Length from H.P.S* to front hip 68.6cm 69.2cm 70cm 70.5cm 71.1cm 71.7cm 72.4cm 73cm 73.6cm 74.2cm
Length from H.P.S* to back hip 66.1cm 66.7cm 67.3cm 67.9cm 68.6cm 69.2cm 69.8cm 70.4cm 71.1cm 71.7cm
Length from H.P.S* to front waist 46.1cm 46.7cm 47.3cm 47.9cm 48.6cm 49.2cm 49.8cm 50.4cm 51.1cm 51.7cm
Length from H.P.S* to back waist 43.5cm 44.2cm 44.8cm 45.4cm 46cm 46.7cm 47.3cm 47.9cm 48.5cm 49.2cm

*H.P.S refers to the Highest Point of Shoulder of the body

Measurements in centimeters

The matching below between French Poetry size and ready-to-wear sizes is indicative only, as it will vary from one brand to another. Please check your own measurements for precise sizing. Patterns are designed for a 168cm height and include lengthening/shortening lines.

Size range XS to XL (2 to 16)

French Poetry size Intl US EU UK / AU Bust Waist Hips
2 XS 0 32 4 80 to 83 60 to 63 86 to 89
4 S 2 34 6 84 to 87 64 to 67 90 to 93
6 M 4 36 8 88 to 91 68 to 71 94 to 97
8 M 6/8 38 10 92 to 95 72 to 75 98 to 101
10 L 10 40 12 96 to 99 76 to 79 102 to 105
12 L 12 42 14 100 to 103 80 to 83 106 to 109
14 L 14/16 44 16 104 to 107 84 to 87 110 to 113
16 XL 18 46 18 108 to 111 88 to 91 114 to 117

Size range XL to 6XL (16 to 34)

Patterns adapted in this new size range have been entirely redrafted to offer a flattering cut. This is why, if you compare the two size ranges, you may find that pattern pieces have a slightly different shape.

French Poetry size Intl US EU UK / AU Bust Waist Hips
16 XL 12W 48 18 108 to 112 88 to 97 114 to 118
18 XL 14W 48 /50 20 113 to 117 98 to 102 119 to 123
20 2XL 16W 50 22 118 to 122 103 to 107 124 to 128
22 3XL 18W 54 24 123 to 127 108 to 112 129 to 133
24 3XL 20W 56 26 128 to 132 113 to 117 134 to 138
26 4XL 22W 58 28 133 to 137 118 to 122 139 to 143
28 4XL 24W 60 30 138 to 142 123 to 127 144 to 148
30 5XL 26W 62 32 143 to 147 128 to 132 149 to 153
32 5XL 28W 64 34 148 to 152 133 to 137 154 to 158
34 6XL 30W 66 36 153 to 157 138 to 142 159 to 163

 

Advanced measurements for adjustments (advanced sewists)

French Poetry size Arm length Bicep Across shoulder width Length from H.P.S to front hip Length from H.P.S to back hip Length from H.P.S to front waist Length from H.P.S to back waist
16 60 35 41.4 68.6 66.1 46.1 43.5
18 60 36.3 42.7 69.2 66.7 46.7 44.2
20 60 37.5 43.9 69.9 67.3 47.3 44.8
22 60 38.8 45.2 70.5 67.9 47.9 45.4
24 60 40 46.4 71.1 68.6 48.6 46
26 60 41.3 47.7 71.7 69.2 49.2 46.7
28 60 42.5 48.9 72.4 69.8 49.8 47.3
30 60 43.8 50.2 73 70.4 50.4 47.9
32 60 45 51.4 73.6 71.1 51.1 48.5
34 60 46.3 52.7 74.2 71.7 51.7 49.2

*H.P.S refers to the Highest Point of Shoulder of the body

Measurements in inches

The matching below between French Poetry size and ready-to-wear sizes is indicative only, as it will vary from one brand to another. Please check your own measurements for precise sizing. Patterns are designed for a 168cm height and include lengthening/shortening lines.

Size range XS to XL (2 to 16)

French Poetry size 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Intl size XS S M M L L L XL
US size 0 2 4 6/8 10 12 14/16 18
EU size 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46
UK/AU size 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Bust measurement 31 to 32.5” 33 to 34.5” 35 to 36” 36 to 37.5” 38 to 39” 39 to 40.5” 41 to 42.5” 43 to 44.5”
Waist measurement 24 to 25” 25 to 26.5” 27 to 28” 28 to 29” 30 to 31” 31 to 32.5” 33 to 34.5” 35 to 36.5”
Hips measurement 34 to 35” 35 to 36.5” 37 to 38.5” 39 to 40” 40 to 41.5” 42 to 43” 43 to 44.5” 45 to 46.5”

Size range XL to 6XL (16 to 34)

Patterns adapted in this new size range have been entirely redrafted to offer a flattering cut. This is why, if you compare the two size ranges, you may find that pattern pieces have a slightly different shape.

 

French Poetry size 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34
Intl size XL XL 2XL 3XL 3XL 4XL 4XL 5XL 5XL 6XL
US size 12W 14W 16W 18W 20W 22W 24W 26W 28W 30W
EU size 48 48/50 50 54W 56W 58W 60W 62W 64W 66W
UK/AU size 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36
Bust measurement 42.5 to 44” 44.5 to 46” 46.5 to 48” 48.5 to 50” 50.5 to 52” 52.5 to 54” 54.5 to 56” 56.5 to 58” 58.5 to 60” 60.5 to 62”
Waist measurement 36.5 to 38” 38.5 to 40” 40.5 to 42” 42.5 to 44” 44.5 to 46” 46.5 to 48” 48.5 to 50” 50.5 to 52” 52.5 to 54” 54.5 to 56”
Hips measurement 44.8 to 46.3” 46.8 to 48.3” 48.8 to 50.3” 50.8 to 52.3” 52.8 to 54.3” 54.8 to 56.3” 56.8 to 58.3” 58.8 to 60.3” 60.8 to 62.3” 62.8 to 64.3”

Advanced measurements for adjustments (advanced sewists)

Arm length 23.6” 23.6” 23.6” 23.6” 23.6” 23.6” 23.6” 23.6” 23.6” 23.6”
Bicep 13.8” 14.3” 14.8” 15.3” 15.7” 16.2” 16.7” 17.2” 17.7” 18.2”
Across shoulder width 16.3” 16.8” 17.3” 17.8” 18.3” 18.8” 19.3” 19.7” 20.2” 20.7”
Length from H.P.S* to front hip 27” 27.3” 27.5” 27.8” 28” 28.2” 28.5” 28.7” 29” 29.2”
Length from H.P.S* to back hip 27” 27.3” 27.5” 27.8” 28” 28.2” 28.5” 28.7” 29” 29.2”
Length from H.P.S* to front waist 26” 26.3” 26.5” 26.8” 27” 27.2” 27.5” 27.7” 28” 28.2”
Length from H.P.S* to back waist 17” 17.4” 17.6” 17.9” 18.1” 18.4” 18.6” 18.9” 19” 19.4”

*H.P.S refers to the Highest Point of Shoulder of the body

Measurements in inches

The matching below between French Poetry size and ready-to-wear sizes is indicative only, as it will vary from one brand to another. Please check your own measurements for precise sizing. Patterns are designed for a 168cm height and include lengthening/shortening lines.

Size range XS to XL (2 to 16)

French Poetry size Intl US EU UK / AU Bust Waist Hips
2 XS 0 32 4 31 to 32.5” 24 to 25” 34 to 35”
4 S 2 34 6 33 to 34.5” 25 to 26.5” 35 to 36.5”
6 M 4 36 8 35 to 36” 27 to 28” 37 to 38.5”
8 M 6/8 38 10 36 to 37.5” 28 to 29” 39 to 40”
10 L 10 40 12 38 to 39” 30 to 31” 40 to 41.5”
12 L 12 42 14 39 to 40.5” 31 to 32.5” 42 to 43”
14 L 14/16 44 16 41 to 42.5” 33 to 34.5” 43 to 44.5”
16 XL 18 46 18 43 to 44.5” 35 to 36.5” 45 to 46.5”

Size range XL to 6XL (16 to 34)

Patterns adapted in this new size range have been entirely redrafted to offer a flattering cut. This is why, if you compare the two size ranges, you may find that pattern pieces have a slightly different shape.

French Poetry size Intl US EU UK / AU Bust Waist Hips
16 XL 12W 48 18 42.5 to 44” 36.5 to 38” 44.8 to 46.3”
18 XL 14W 48 /50 20 44.5 to 46” 38.5 to 40” 46.8 to 48.3”
20 2XL 16W 50 22 46.5 to 48” 40.5 to 42” 48.8 to 50.3”
22 3XL 18W 54 24 48.5 to 50” 42.5 to 44” 50.8 to 52.3”
24 3XL 20W 56 26 50.5 to 52” 44.5 to 46” 52.8 to 54.3”
26 4XL 22W 58 28 52.5 to 54” 46.5 to 48” 54.8 to 56.3”
28 4XL 24W 60 30 54.5 to 56” 48.5 to 50” 56.8 to 58.3”
30 5XL 26W 62 32 56.5 to 58” 50.5 to 52” 58.8 to 60.3”
32 5XL 28W 64 34 58.5 to 60” 52.5 to 54” 60.8 to 62.3”
34 6XL 30W 66 36 60.5 to 62” 54.5 to 56” 62.8 to 64.3”

 

Advanced measurements for adjustments (advanced sewists)

French Poetry size Arm length Bicep Across shoulder width Length from H.P.S to front hip Length from H.P.S to back hip Length from H.P.S to front waist Length from H.P.S to back waist
16 23.6 13.8 16.3 27 26 18.1 17.1
18 23.6 14.3 16.8 27.3 26.3 18.4 17.4
20 23.6 14.8 17.3 27.5 26.5 18.6 17.6
22 23.6 15.3 17.8 27.8 26.8 18.9 17.9
24 23.6 15.7 18.3 28 27 19.1 18.1
26 23.6 16.2 18.8 28.2 27.2 19.4 18.4
28 23.6 16.7 19.3 28.5 27.5 19.6 18.6
30 23.6 17.2 19.7 28.7 27.7 19.9 18.9
32 23.6 17.7 20.2 29 28 20.1 19.1
34 23.6 18.2 20.7 29.2 28.2 20.4 19.4

*H.P.S refers to the Highest Point of Shoulder of the body