This section is from the "A Complete Dictionary of Dry Goods" book, by George S. Cole. Also available from Amazon: A complete dictionary of dry goods and history of silk, cotton, linen, wool and other fibrous substances,: Including a full explanation of the modern processes ... together with various useful tables.
The garments for the various parts of the human body, together with numerous articles of dry goods devoted to the use of the same, are differentiated into "sizes" according to the necessities of the parts and the nature of the materials used. The table below indicates the size-figures and what they mean:
Length Of Size (inches) | Range Of Sizes | Where Measured | |
Bolster.......... | 42x63 1/2 | 42x671/2 , 42x72, 42x76 1/2 , 45x63 1/2, 45x671/2 , 45x72 1/2 , 45x76 1/2 , | |
Boys' suits...... | 4 to 18 8 to 70 6 3/4 to 8 | years of age. diameter. | |
Buttons......... | 1/40 1/8 | ||
Caps, men's..... | mean horizontal diameter of the head. | ||
Caps, boys'...... | 1/8 | 6 to 7 | mean horizontal diameter of the head. |
Cardigan........ | 2} | 1 to 7 or 34 to 46 | around chest. |
Coat, man's..... | 1 | 34 to 50 | around chest. |
Cloak, lady's.... | 1 | 32 to 44 | around bust. |
Cloak, miss'..... | 1 | 4 to 18 | years of age. |
Collar, man's.... | 1/2 | 14 to 20 | length. |
Collar, bov's..... | 1/2 | 12 to 14 | length. |
Comfort......... | 2 | 60x72 to 78x84 | width and length. |
Corset.......... | 1 1/2 | 16 to 30 9 to 12 | around waist. |
Cuffs, men's..... | length. | ||
Cuffs, boys'...... | 1/2 | 8 to 9 | length. |
Drawers, men's.. | 2 | 28 to 44 | around waist. |
Drawers, ladies'. | 2 | 26 to 40 | around waist. |
Gloves, men's. . . | 1/4 | 6 3/4 to 11 | palm of hand. |
Gloves, cadet.... | 1/4 | 5 1/2 to 7 1/4 | palm of hand. |
Gloves, ladies'... | 1/4 | 6 to 8 | palm of hand. |
Gloves, misses'.. | 1/4 | 51/4 to 61/2 | palm of hand. |
40U |
Length OF Size (inches). | Range OF Size | Where Measured | |
Gloves, fabric... | 1/2 to l | 7 to 10 | arbitrary basis. |
Handkerchief... | 1} } } | 12x12 to 27x27 | length and breath. |
Hose, men's...... | 1/2 | 9 to 12 | length of foot. |
Hose, ladies'___ | 1/2 | 8 to 11 | length of foot. |
Hose, children's. | 1/2 | 4 to 8 | length of foot. |
Hats............ | same as caps. | ||
Jersey, ladies'... | 2 | 32 to 44 | around bust. |
Jersey Underw'r. | 2 | 2 to 6 | equivalent to 30 to 40. |
2 | 34 to 44 | around chest. | |
2 | 34 to 44 | over the coat. | |
Napkins | 1 | see Table Linen. | |
Needles, sewing. | l to lO | ||
Needles, darning | 12 to 18 | ||
Needles, knitting | 10 to 18 | ||
Overcoat, man's. | 1 | 34 to 50 | over the coat. |
Overcoat, boy's.. | 1 | 4 to 18 | years of age. |
Pant'loons, men's | l} | 29x29 to 50x36 | around waist and inseam of leg. |
Pantaloons, boys' | l} | 25x25 to 30x32 | around waist and inseam of leg. |
1/40 | 8 to 16 | diameter. | |
Pearl but., dress. | 1/40 | 16 to 30 | diameter. |
Pearl but., cloak. | 1/40 | 30 to 70 | diameter. |
Pillow cases | 42x36 | 45x36,45x38 1/2 , 50x36,50x38 1/2, 50x401/2 54x36, 54x38 1/2, 54x40 1/2. | |
Ribbons | 2 to 30 | see Ribbon. | |
Satchels | l | 9 to 16 | length. |
Shirts, men's___ | 1/2 | 14 to 20 | neckband. |
Shirts, boys' | 1/2 | 12 to 14 | neckband. |
Slickers | 2 | 1 to 6 | over the coat. |
Smoking Jackets. | 1 | 34 to 44 | over the vest. |
Rubber coat, m.. | 2 | 1 to 6 | over the coat. |
Rubber coats, b | |||
Sheets | 54x90 | 63x90, 63x93 1/2, 63x99, 72x90, 72x93 1/2. 72x99, 81x93 1/2, 90x90, 90x93 1/2, 90x99. | |
1/16and 1/3 | see Boots and Shoes. | ||
Thimbles, ladies'. | 5 to 10 | arbitrary basis. | |
Thimbles, child | 3 to 6 | arbitrary basis. | |
2 | 26 to 38 | length. | |
Undershirt, m__ | 2 | 34 to 50 | around chest. |
Umbrellas | 1 | 26 to 36 | length of rib. |
Valise | 1 | 14 to 24 | length. See Satchel. |
Vest, men's | 1 | 34 to 50 | around chest. |
Vest, children's.. | 2 | 16 to 34 | around waist. |
Vest, ladies' | 2 | 28 to 40 | around waist. |
Waists.children's | 1 | 4 to 18 | years of age. |
2 | 34 to 44 | around chest. | |
Whalebones | 1/16 | 3/16 to 12/16 | width of bone. |
26 |
The following table indicates the average amount, and the width of material required for various articles and garments:
Width. Inches. | Yards. | |
27 | 2 1/2 | |
Basque | 31 | 2 1/2 |
Binding, bottom of dress | 3 | |
Blanket.................................. | 72 | 2 1/2 |
Bolster case | 36 | 2 |
Butcher's apron | 40 | 1 1/4 |
Chemise, misses' | 36 | 3 1/2 |
Chemise, ladies | 36 | 13/4 |
Coat | 31 | 21/2 |
Coat and vest | 54 | 2 1/4 |
Comfort | 24 | 14 to 15 |
Corset cover | 36 | 1 1/4 |
Curtain, holland | 31 | 2 1/2 |
Curtain, lace | 31 | 3 |
Drawers, ladies' | 36 | 2 1/4 |
Drawers, misses' | 36 | 1 1/2 |
Drawers, men's | 36 | 2 1/4 |
Dress Skirt | 31 | 5 |
Jumper | 27 | 3 |
Kilt skirt, boy's | 27 | 1 1/2 |
Kilt skirt, ladies'.......................... | ||
54 | 3 1/2 | |
Nightgown | 36 | 5 |
Nightshirt, men's | 36 | 5 |
Nightshirt,boy's | 36 | 3 1/8 |
Overalls, men's | 27 | 3 |
Overcoat, men's | 54 | 2 1/4 |
Pantaloons | 30 | 2 1/2 |
Pillow case | 42 or 46 | l to l 1/8 |
72 | 21/2 | |
Rag carpet 1 lb. warp for | 36 | 2 1/2 |
Rag carpet 1 1/2 lbs.rags for | 36 | l |
Roller towel | 18 | 2 1/2 |
Sheet | 72 | 21/2 |
Shirt, man's | 27 | 3 1/2 |
Shirt, boy's | 27 | 2 1/2 |
Skirt lining | 24 | 5 |
Smoking jacket | 27 | 3 |
Sofa cover | 27 | 5 |
Table cloth | 64 | 2 to 2 1/2 |
Vest, man's | 27 | 1 |
Waist lining | 36 | 1 1/2 |
Plain. | Pleated. | ||||
Yr's | 27 Inches. | 36 Inches | Yr's. | 27 Inches. | 86 Inches. |
3 | 1 1/4 | 1 1/8 | 3 | 1 5/8 | 1 1/4 |
4 | 1 3/8 | 1 1/4 | 4 | 1 5/8 | 1 3/8 |
5 | 1 1/2 | 1 3/8 | 5 | 1 3/4 | 1 1/2 |
6 | 1 1/2 | 1 3/8 | 6 | 1 3/4 | 1 1/2 |
7 | 1 3/4 | 1 1/2 | 7 | 2 | 1 5/8 |
8 | 1 3/4 | 1 1/2 | 8 | 2X | 1 3/4 |
9 | 1 7/8 | 1 5/8 | 9 | 2 5/8 | 1 7/8 |
10 | 2 | 1 3/4 | 10 | 2 7/8 | 1 7/8 |
11 | 2 1/4 | 1 3/4 | 11 | 3 1/8 | 2 |
12 | 2 1/2 | 1 7/8 | 12 | 3 3/8 | 2 1/8 |
The following sizes in hosiery should be sold for corresponding numbers of shoes:
The following are the proper sizes in underwear for children from 1 to 17 years of age:
In drawers, one size smaller is required for the same age, beginning at 4 years. In inches of waist measure, children's underwear should correspond with the sizes below:
Inches | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
Size | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
Inches | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
Size | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 |
Ladies jersey vests are numbered 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. These sizes correspond to the following bust measure :
The sizes marked on boxes of "flat" goods are always waist measure. Bust measure is four inches larger than waist measure. The corresponding sizes are as below:
The following are the standard sizes and measurements of cardigan jackets:
No. l=size 34, | length 24 inches, | width 14 inches. |
No. 2=size 36, | length 24 inches, | width 15 inches. |
No. 3=size 38, | length 25 inches, | width 16 inches. |
No. 4=size 40, | length 25 inches, | width 17 inches. |
No. 5=size 42, | length 26 inches, | width 18 inches. |
No. 6=size 44, | length 27 inches, | width 19 inches |
No. 7=size 46, | length 28 inches, | width 20 inches. |
Size | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Inches | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38-40 |
Size | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 |
Inches | 28 | 30 | 30 | 32 |
Sizes | 36 | 38 | 40 |
Inches | 32 | 34 | 34 |
The dress linings usually given away with dress patterns of expensive material, are as follows:
5 yards cambric 2 yards silesia. 1 yards canvas. Bones or steel. 1 spool silk. 2 spools twist.
1 velveteen binding. 1 pair shields.
 
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