Figure Focus
A Balancing Act –
Hourglass Figure
the
Compiled by Lynn Cook Thinking about an hourglass shape conjures up thoughts of the curvaceous femme fatale, the hippy, busty woman of the fifties – the shape we once vied for yet one that modern time negates. Current fashion dictates reed-thin silhouettes that defy the laws of sustenance, leaving our poor hourglass ladies out in the cold as far as figure-balancing garments are concerned. Using modern themes and fashion-conscious silhouettes this article takes a look at how our hourglass sewers can survive the current designer trends with simple planning and a few minor pattern adjustments. Determining your shape Before we begin dissecting the hourglass figure. You can analyse your body by using the measuring techniques and diagrams described below.
Measuring the Body While in your underwear, measure in inches across the width of your shoulders, waist and hipline (or thighs if wider than hips), do not measure the circumference of these body parts. To simplify measuring the waist, tie a ribbon or twill tape at the exact location of this body part. See diagram 1. Once you have these three separate measurements in inches, divide each by 2.5. This will give you a smaller number that is in centimetres. These three smaller numbers can now be used to plot your life-size body onto a standard sheet of paper. See measurement chart. To plot your figure onto paper, mark a centre line on the page. At the top of this line, draw in a horizontal line centred to the vertical line. Draw in two more horizontal lines 3cm (11/8in) apart. Starting with the shoulder width, centre the measurement on the top line, marking a point at each end. Do the same for the waist measurement on the middle line, and hip measurement on the bottom line.
A great shoulder and neckline, combined with a wrap dress, is a stunning way to show off your curves.
