For a vyshyvanka to please you and become an inseparable part of your wardrobe, your body needs to be measured so the tailor sews the piece correctly and it fits you. This article explains in detail how to measure yourself at home and which figures we need to sew a vyshyvanka for you. Of course, if you know a tailor or someone who can easily stand in for one, you can turn to them, but five minutes of your time is enough to do it at home.

So, what is needed to take your measurements properly: a tape measure, a belt, yourself and a helper who will do the measuring.

Measurements should be taken with as little clothing as possible, without pulling the tape too tight or letting it go too loose, and the result should be written down without any allowance — the tailor will add that.

1. Chest. Measured standing, around the fullest part of the chest and the shoulder blades.
2. Hips. Measured around the fullest part of the buttocks and the lower abdomen.
3. Back width. Measured horizontally across the back, over the fullest part of the shoulder blades, from one armpit to the other.
4. Shoulder length. Measured from the point where the shoulder meets the neck to the bone where the shoulder meets the arm.
5. Sleeve length. Measured along the arm bent at the elbow, from the bone where the arm meets the shoulder, along the elbow to the wrist.
6. Upper arm. Measured horizontally around the widest part of the arm.
7. Wrist. Measured around the narrowest part of the wrist. 
8. Shirt length is measured from the neck to where you want the shirt to end; it is best to measure a shirt the person already wears.
9. Height is measured standing, from the highest point of the head to the floor. This figure is supplementary, so an error of 1–3 cm is acceptable.

Let us say at once that the most important figures, the ones that are always needed, are the chest, waist and hips, the length of the garment (or the height) and the sleeve length. If your build is standard and there is nothing particular you would like to point out, these figures will be quite enough for the tailoring.