It means the saree comes with an unstitched blouse piece that is 0.8 metres, or 80 cm, long, measured along the fabric. It is not the length of a stitched blouse. Eighty centimetres is enough for a regular sleeveless or short-sleeve blouse up to about a 40 bust. Long sleeves, a deep or high back, a collar, a bust above 42 or a lining need closer to a full metre, so check the table before you plan the design.
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| Blouse style | Fabric needed | 0.8 m enough? |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeveless, regular back, bust up to 40 | 0.7 to 0.8 m | Yes |
| Short or cap sleeve, bust up to 40 | 0.8 m | Yes, with nothing to spare |
| Short sleeve, bust 42 to 44 | 0.9 to 1 m | Usually not |
| Elbow sleeve, deep back or collar | 1 m | No |
| Full sleeve | 1 to 1.2 m | No |
| Princess cut or padded, any sleeve | 1 m | No |
| Any style, lined | add 0.8 m of lining | Lining is bought separately |
For fabric 44 inches (112 cm) wide, the usual width for blouse pieces. A narrower piece, or a print or border that must be matched, needs more. Lining fabric is always extra.
| Listing says | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Blouse length 0.8 m, 0.80 m, 80 cm | Unstitched blouse piece, 80 cm of fabric | Regular short-sleeve or sleeveless blouse |
| Blouse length 0.9 m | Unstitched piece, 90 cm | Short sleeve for larger sizes |
| Blouse length 1 m, 100 cm | Unstitched piece, a full metre | Full sleeve, collar, deep back, princess cut |
| Running blouse, attached blouse | The blouse fabric is part of the saree's length, usually 0.8 to 1 m | Cut off the pallu end before stitching |
| Unstitched blouse piece | Separate fabric, same or contrast colour | Length is given in metres |
| Blouse length 14 to 16 inches, 35 to 40 cm | A stitched blouse, shoulder to hem | What a tailor means by blouse length |
The giveaway is the unit: metres or centimetres above 60 describe fabric; inches, or centimetres between 30 and 45, describe a stitched blouse from shoulder to hem.
On a saree listing, blouse length describes fabric: how much unstitched blouse piece comes with the saree, measured along the border. Standard pieces run 0.8 to 1 metre. The piece is usually the full width of the fabric, about 44 inches, so 0.8 m gives a rectangle of roughly 80 by 112 cm, which a tailor cuts into the front, back and sleeves.
When a tailor asks for blouse length, they mean the finished garment: from the highest point of the shoulder, beside the neck, straight down to where the hem should sit. For most women that is 14 to 16 inches, 35 to 40 cm, and it is a body measurement, not a fabric one. The two numbers have nothing to do with each other, which is why the question comes up so often.
If you are between the two, buy a matching or contrast half metre at the same time as the saree. Blouse pieces are hard to match later, and a contrast sleeve or back panel is cheaper than a reorder.
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Yes for a sleeveless, cap-sleeve or short-sleeve blouse with a regular back. A 38 blouse (bust about 97 cm) uses roughly 75 to 80 cm of 44 inch wide fabric for that design. Elbow or full sleeves, a collar or a princess cut push it past 80 cm.
The same thing as 0.8 metre: the unstitched blouse fabric that comes with the saree is 80 cm long. It is a fabric length, not the length of a stitched blouse.
About 1 to 1.2 metres of 44 inch wide fabric, plus 0.8 m of lining. An 80 cm piece will not cut full sleeves in the same fabric; use a contrast sleeve or buy extra.
A saree whose blouse fabric is woven as part of the saree's length, usually the last 0.8 to 1 metre at the end opposite the pallu. The tailor cuts it off before stitching. The listing may say running blouse, attached blouse or blouse length in metres.
The finished garment, measured from the highest point of the shoulder beside the neck straight down the front to the hem: 14 to 16 inches, 35 to 40 cm, for most women. Give that number along with bust, underbust, shoulder, sleeve and armhole.
Only for a small size. Blouse fabric is usually 44 inches (112 cm) wide; at 36 inches (91 cm) wide, 0.8 m cuts a sleeveless blouse up to about a 36 bust and little else. Check the width on the listing.
Buy 0.8 to 1 m of matching or contrast fabric, or use a ready stretch blouse. Many tailors keep plain blouse fabric in standard colours; take the saree so they can match it.
Saree blouse measurements · Kurta size chart, sizing and measurements · Lehenga measurements · Salwar kameez measurements · Gown and anarkali measurements · What measurements does a tailor need? · Men's kurta pajama measurements · Punjabi suit measurements, with the Punjabi and Hindi terms
Measuring the body itself? Body measurement chart: what size am I? · How to measure your bust or chest · Is bust the same as chest? · How to measure your waist · How to measure your hips · How to measure your inseam and trouser length