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Size charts

We use the European (metric) system of measurement in our pattern design. The sizes of children’s clothes are based on the child’s height (cm). Women’s and men’s clothes are based on the German sizing system. You can study the size charts and instructions for taking measurements by size groups.

BABIES AND TODDLERS 50–92 cm

Size cm 50 56 62 68 74 80 86 92
1. Chest measurement 43 44.5 46 47.5 49 50.5 52 54
2. Waist measurement 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53
3. Hip measurement 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58
4. Shoulder length 5.2 5.6 6 6.4 6.8 7.2 7.6 8
5. Arm length 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32
6. Inside leg length 15 18 21 24 27 30 33.5 37
7. Outside leg length 30.5 33.5 36.5 39.5 42.5 46 50 54
8. Back waist length 10.5 12 13.5 15 17 19 21 22.5

Download fill-in size chart (PDF)

Size charts in inches (PDF)

Measuring the baby / toddler 

For taking the measurements, you’ll need a tape measure and a length of firm tape that is placed round the waist. You can sew a waist tape for this purpose of a strip of cotton fabric folded in four (finished width 15 mm). Place the tape horizontally round the child’s waist.

The child should stand upright (if he or she can stand) with a relaxed posture with the arms hanging free at the sides.

The measurements are taken on top of underwear and a diaper close to the body, yet not too tight.

Baby’s height:
You’ll need an assistant for measuring the baby’s height. Lay the baby on his or her back on a table. Stand two books upright on the table, one against the crown of the baby’s head and the other against the baby’s foot soles, with the baby’s legs as straight as possible. Holding the books in place, ask your assistant to measure the distance between the books (i.e. the baby’s height). It’s also easy to measure the baby’s inside leg length at the same time.

Toddler’s height:
With the toddler standing up with the back and heels against a wall, mark the height at the top of the head on the wall using a straight angle (e.g. a book). The height of the child is the distance measured from the floor to the marking.

1. Chest measurement:
Horizontal measurement around the body with the tape measure running over the chest and shoulder blades.

2. Waist measurement:
Measurement around the waist without the waist tape.

3. Hip measurement:
Horizontal measurement around the seat (the fullest part of the bottom).

4. Shoulder length:
Distance from the base of the neck to the tip of the shoulder.

5. Arm length:
Distance from the tip of the shoulder to the wrist measured over the elbow with the arm slightly bent.

6. Inside leg length:
The inside leg length is measured from the groin to the edge of the foot sole while the baby is lying down, or from the groin to the floor while the toddler is standing with the legs slightly apart and with the body weight evenly balanced on both feet.

7. Outside leg length:
Distance from the waist to the edge of the foot sole or to the floor, measured from the lower edge of the waist tape.

8. Back waist length:
Distance from the most prominent vertebra at the base of the neck to the lower edge of the waist tape. Take the measurement while the baby is lying on his or her front, or while the toddler is standing.

How to choose the correct size

The measurements in the chart are taken on the body.  The patterns include the necessary allowances for ease of movement.

Children’s pattern sizes are primari­ly chosen according to the child’s height, and the pattern measurements are then adjusted to correspond to the child’s other body measurements. Take the measurements on top of thin underwear and a diaper and compare them with the size chart. 

What does the pattern size indicate?

OTTOBRE design® magazines use the European sizing system, in which the clothes sizes are based on the child’s height.The other measurements that affect the fit of clothes are given in our size charts.The pattern sizes are expressed in centimeters in increments of 6 cm, usually starting at size 50 cm.

The size number means that a size 74 cm pattern, for example, is the best fit on a child whose height is around 74 cm and whose chest, waist and hip measurements correspond to those given in the size chart for that height.

The most important length measurements to be checked against the size chart are the arm length, the outside leg length and the back waist length.

Does the pattern allow for growing room?

Besides the design ease and the amount of ease that works for the intended fabric, the patterns include the necessary wearing ease. All patterns in sizes 50–92 cm for babies and toddlers have been designed to allow room for a diaper.

The patterns do not have a built-in allowance for growing room. However, we occasionally add features to our designs that extend the life of the garment.These include turn-up sleeve or leg cuffs, an extra set of snap fasteners at the crotch of a bodysuit, or adjustment buttons on shoulder straps.

When a child grows 6 cm, which corresponds to one pattern size, the chest, waist and hip measurements only increase by 1–2 cm. If the child’s measurements correspond to those of the size chart, it’s not advisable to add any extra for growing room except perhaps to the length measurements of the pattern.

How to choose the correct pattern size?

For a start, it’s essential to take the child’s measurements carefully. Measure the child’s height first, then find the pattern size in the size chart that corresponds closest to the height.

Compare the child’s chest, waist and hip measurements with the corresponding measurements in the size chart. If the child’s measurements are ±1–2 cm smaller or bigger than those in the size chart, you can choose the pattern size according to the child’s height.

If the child’s measurements are more than 3 cm bigger than those in the size chart, it’s advisable to choose the next bigger pattern size. If the child’s measurements are more than 5 cm bigger, choose a two sizes bigger pattern size. Adjust the length of the sleeves, hemline and legs to fit the child.

When choosing the pattern size, remember that the baby grows fast, as much as 25–30 cm during the first year. The baby’s height at birth is approx. 50 cm, and on average by the age of 3–4 months his or her height is 60 cm, and by the age of 9–10 months 70 cm. The average height of  a 12-month-old baby is 75–80 cm, that of an 18-month-old baby approx. 86 cm, and that of a two-year-old baby approx. 92 cm.

The clothes of a young baby can well be made using a pattern size that is bigger than the baby’s actual height in order to allow for some growing room. However, when the baby starts standing up, the clothes should not have too much extra length or width as they could inhibit learning to walk. Notice also that clothes made from stretchy fabrics need less wearing ease than those made from non-stretch fabrics.

Tip! To help you to choose the correct pattern size, compare the length and width of a pattern with the length and width of one of your child’s garments that is a good fit and that is made from a similar material to the material suggested by the pattern.