Measurement - Tumblr Posts
For those who are planning to start sewing their own cosplays this year this might be helpful: How to take measurements! Waist Front / Waist Back: http://www.sempstress.org/measurement/measuring-the-waist-frontback-waist/ How to Take Measurements: http://makinglatexclothing.com/2008/12/how-to-take-measurements/ Instructions for Taking Measurements: http://mangakaresource.weebly.com/1/post/2011/01/sewing-measurements.html
After staring in bewilderment down at my foot for a minute and debating with myself whether I would look too silly in front of an empty room or not, I decided to test this concept. My foot does, indeed, fit perfectly between the crook of my elbow and my wrist.
A foot is roughly the size of your foot
It is but it’s often easier to use my forearm
Chinese Measurement Units Guide
At first glance the Chinese clothes sizes make little sense (they still make not that much sense even at the 15th glance as well to be honest). And the fruit and veggie prices are also no odder.
Then I realized that China has its own local measurement units, so here are some unique measurement units you should look out for plus an odd one out.
1. Weight
Kilograms are used (confirmed this during my medical exam, which is a story in itself), but for things like fruits, veggies etc. 公斤 is used, which is basically kilos divided by 2.
一斤 (yī jīn）= 500g
两斤 (liǎng jīn）= 1kg*
*Even though 斤 is translated to as pounds sometimes, it's actually kilos.
This is also used for clothing sizes (on taobao at least), so if you want to get an accurateish estimate you need to convert your weight to kilos, multiple by 2 and then select a size that fits within the range.
For example: if you weight 70 kg, you then multiple that by 2 = 140斤. Clothes will usually have size ranges e.g. 120-145斤, so that could fit into the L (Large) category.
Note: Sizes vary across stores, so an L in one shop can be an XL in another store or an 2XL in a different store so be ready to contact the seller asking for more specific measurements if not too sure.
2. Length
Usually kilometres and metres are used, but there's also a local system.
0.5 km - 1里 - lǐ
1 km - 2里 - lǐ
3. Area
Same as the previous one, the western measurement units are used but there's also a local system. Not very common from what I've heard, but still pretty handy and interesting to know.
1 km² -15顷 - qǐng
4. Volume
Volume is the same as the metric system, with it's own name so no surprises here.
1 L - 1 升 - shēng
The only major issue I've had has been with the weight measurement and its conversion, but other than that there aren't many issues.
5. Contact lenses
Maybe it's a location thing, but the eye diopter thing here is slightly different.
If your prescription is -4.00, then here it'll be just -400 or just 400 without the minus if buying on Taoboa. It should be obvious (farsightedness of +4.00?? with people studying and working that much??), but it threw me off the first time I had to get my contacts here.
They range from 0 to -8.00 but with one value for the entire package, so if you have significantly different diopters in each eye e.g. -2.00 in your right and -3.00 in your left, then you may have to buy 2 packets, 1 for each eye.
Measure by measure
Full wide.