Accepted Sewing Tolerances for Proper Cloth Garments

While we do our best to sew each garment precisely to its specification every time, hand sewing and different fabric types naturally result in small variations. Following are the tolerances that we consider acceptable for each product type.

Shirts

Measurement tolerance for shirts:

Dimensions	Tolerance
	+	–
Chest Width	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Midsection Width	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Bottom Width	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Yoke/Shoulder Width	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Sleeve Width	+ 0.1875″	– 0.1875″
Center Back Length	+ 0.375″	– 0.375″
Center Front Length	+ 0.375″	– 0.375″
Sleeve Length	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Collar Around	+ 0.25″	– 0.125″
Cuff Length	+ 0.25″	– 0.125″

Note: The tolerance measurement of the Chest Width, Midsection Width, Bottom Width, and Sleeve Width is doubled to calculate the tolerance for the full circumference around the shirt at those points. For example, the tolerance for Chest Circumference is + or -0.5”, which is double the Chest Width tolerance of + or -0.25”.

Jackets

Measurement tolerance for jackets:

Dimensions	Tolerance
	+	–
Shoulder Width	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Chest Width (at armhole)	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Midsection Width (at top or middle button*)	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Hip Width (6″ below top or middle button*)	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Center Back Length	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Sleeve Length	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Sleeve Bicep Width	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″
Sleeve Opening Width	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″

Note: The tolerance measurement of the Chest Width, Midsection Width, Hip Width, Sleeve Bicep Width, and Sleeve Opening Width is doubled to calculate the tolerance for the full circumference around the jacket at those points. For example, the tolerance for Chest Circumference is + or -0.5”, which is double the Chest Width tolerance of + or -0.25”.

Dress Pants

Measurement tolerance for trousers:

Dimensions	Tolerance
	+	–
Waist Width	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″
Hip Width	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Thigh Width	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Knee Width	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″
Leg Opening Width	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″
Front Rise	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″
Back Rise	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Total Rise	+ 0.375″	– 0.375″
Inseam Length	+ 0.5″	-0.5″

Note: The tolerance measurement of the Waist Width, Hip Width, Knee Width, and Leg Opening Width is doubled to calculate the tolerance for the full circumference around the pants at those points. For example, the tolerance for Waist Circumference is + or -0.25”, which is double the Waist Width tolerance of + or -0.125”.

Casual Pants

Measurement tolerance for Casual Pants (chinos, off-duty, and 5-pocket pants):

Dimensions	Tolerance
	+	–
Waist Width*	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Hip Width	+ 0.375″	– 0.375″
Thigh Width	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Knee Width	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″
Leg Opening Width	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″
Front Rise*	+ 0.125″	– 0.125″
Back Rise*	+ 0.25″	– 0.25″
Total Rise	+ 0.375″	– 0.375″
Inseam Length*	+ 0.375″	– 0.375″

Note: The tolerance measurement of the Waist Width, Hip Width, Thigh Width, Knee Width, and Leg Opening Width is doubled to calculate the tolerance for the full circumference around the pants at those points. For example, the tolerance for Hip Circumference is + or -0.75” (0.75”), which is double the Hip Width tolerance of + or -0.375”.

*Due to the nature of the garment washing process, sewing tolerances for certain dimensions of washed denim jeans may differ from chinos and most other styles of casual pants.