Garment Ease Calculator
Calculate the ease allowance to add to your body measurements for different garment types and fit preferences — from close-fitting to oversized.
What Is Ease? Ease is the difference between your body measurement and the finished garment measurement. Without ease, a garment would be skin-tight and you could not move. Ease serves two functions: wearing ease (minimum needed to move comfortably) and design ease (additional fullness for style).
Wearing Ease by Body Part Bust/chest: 2-4 inches minimum for close fit, 4-6 for relaxed. Waist: 0.5-1 inch. Hip: 2-3 inches. Upper arm: 1.5-2 inches. Thigh: 2-3 inches. Back width: 0.5-1 inch.
Design Ease Categories Close-fitting: 0-2" ease. Fitted: 2-4". Semi-fitted: 4-6". Loose: 6-10". Very loose / oversized: 10"+.
Pattern Sizing Commercial patterns already include ease in their sizing. If a pattern says Size 12 (bust 36"), and your bust is 36", the finished garment will be approximately 38-40" — the pattern has 2-4" of ease built in. Compare pattern measurements at specific points, not just size numbers.