A Balancing Act – the Hourglass Figure

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.