Q: This splinting technique is often used for trigger finger when a finger ligament is strained or when a joint is dislocated. Buddy splinting is not suitable for unstable joints and/or fractured fingers. A buddy splint adjoins two fingers by taping them together, just like buddies. The fingers are taped at a point which is above and a point that is below the affected joint. Please note: contact your physician before engaging in long-term splinting for apparent trigger finger or any other condition. Before you apply a buddy splint, you will need to gather some materials. You will need: Scissors. You will need scissors for cutting the medical tape and for cutting the wood pieces, if necessary. Two tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks. Any wood that is thick enough to support a finger will do. Typically, tongue depressors can be found in any local pharmacy just make sure that it will support the entire length of the finger. Medical tape. This secures the wooden splint to the fingers. Micropore tape is easy and gentle for sensitive skin. If you want very adhesive tape, you can purchase Medipore or Durapore instead. If you do not have the tape at home, you can use thin strips of cloth about 4 to 5 inches long to secure the splint; however, medical tape is preferable. You will need a half-inch width cloth tape, which can be found at pharmacies near you. If the index finger is not broken or injured, avoid using it. It's your most useful finger and you don't want it hindered by the splint if it doesn't have to be. If the middle finger is affected by trigger finger, then choose the ring finger as the buddy. You want your hand as mobile as possible. If you can buddy with the ring or pinky finger, do so. You'll experience less inconvenience if your index and/or middle finger are free. Be sure to cover the entire length of the affected finger. After placing one tongue depressor (or similar device) underneath the finger, you should place another on top of the finger. Basically, your finger will be in the middle of a wooden stick sandwich. Trim the wood to size so that it does not catch/destabilize the splint once it is in place. You can buddy splint with just tape, but using a structural support like the wooden sticks makes the splint much sturdier and more effective. Only splint the injured finger the buddy finger can be left alone. Using the scissors, cut two pieces of tape, each measuring 10 inches (25 cm). Here's how to wrap your finger: Wrap the first piece of tape once around the trigger finger, in between the first and second knuckles. Bring the piece of tape around the buddy finger and wrap it firmly until the tape runs out. Repeat in between the second and third knuckle of the affected finger, and then around both fingers. If the your little finger (pinky) is affected, you must wrap it at the end of the finger, which will line up between the second and third knuckles of the ring finger. Pinch the nail of each finger for about two seconds. Does it return to a pinkish appearance within a couple of seconds? If so, good. The blood circulation is just how you want it. Your splint is then finished. If it takes more than two seconds, then your fingers are not getting enough blood because your splint tape is too tight. Removing and reapplying the buddy splint is the best thing to do in this situation. In certain cases of trigger finger, it may take only two to three weeks to heal. However, the average time is a bit more. Ultimately, it depends on the extent and severity of the inflammation in the tendons of your affected finger. If you are lucky, your doctor will only recommend that you wear the splint at night or while otherwise resting. This is much less inconvenient than continuous splinting. Whether splinted at all times or just sometimes, avoid using your injured hand (and especially the injured finger) as much as possible. Immobilization is key to a speedy recovery. When the splint (and tape) is dirty or becoming loose, replace the splint with a new one. If after this period of time your trigger finger does not seem any better, consult your doctor again. He or she will conduct further assessment and properly treat your finger.
A: Know when to use the buddy splint. Prepare the necessary materials. Determine what two fingers to buddy splint together. Place the splint under the trigger finger. Grab your tape. Check the circulation of the buddy and affected finger. Wear the splint for four to six weeks, or as recommended by your doctor.

Q: Hold one end of a measuring tape at the far side of your bust. This is where the outside edge of your bra cup is positioned. Place the tape horizontally across the fullest part of your bust until you reach the outside edge of your bust on the other side. Make note of the length; this will be your front bust measurement. Remember to stand upright, keep the tape measure parallel to the ground, and be sure your elbows are held close to your body. Avoid lifting your arms as this will distort the measurement. To get the most accurate measurement, have someone assist you. The amount you subtract will vary based on your bust size and how tight you want the top to be. It should also incorporate a narrow 14in (0.64cm) seam allowance. For a smaller bust or tighter fit, subtract 4in (10cm). For a larger bust or looser fit, subtract 2in (5.1cm). This number will become the width of the two cups when measured horizontally across the front of your bust. Consider this your bikini top's front width measurement. For example, if your front bust measurement is 18in (46cm) and you have a moderately sized bust, you might decide to subtract 212in (6.4cm). Your finished bikini top's front width will be 15in (38cm), plus the 14in (0.64cm) seam allowance on both sides. If you prefer to use a wider seam allowance, just add this into your measurement. You can also draw in both the finished line (which is where you'll sew, and indicates the edges of the finished garment) as well as the cut line (which includes the seam allowance) if you wish. This measurement will typically be at least 5 to 7in (13 to 18cm) when finished, plus 14in (0.64cm) seam allowance. It depends on your bust size and how much coverage you want. If you have a larger bust or desire more coverage, more height will give you fuller coverage. If you have a smaller bust or desire less coverage, go with a lower height measurement. If you're not sure, measure the height of your favorite bra or bikini top for reference. Then, add 14in (0.64cm) for seam allowance around all sides. Place fashion fabric (the material you'll use for the outer part of the bikini) with its right-side facing down onto a flat surface. Use a ruler and a fabric marking pencil or chalk to draw a rectangle onto the wrong side of the fabric. Its dimensions will be your bikini top's front width by height. For example, if you determined a top length of 15in (38cm) and desire 7in (18cm) of height, your rectangle will measure 15 by 7in (38 by 18cm). When selecting your fashion fabric, the best choice is something that's specifically marketed for use in swimwear, since it will provide the right amount of stretch, water absorption, and colorfastness. Try searching under the performance fabric category of a few online fabric stores to find your favorite print. If your fabric has a stripe or other printed pattern, position your pattern pieces in the correct orientation out so that the design will appear upright once the garment's finished. You wouldn't want sideways zebra stripes or upside-down letters, after all! If there is a particular motif you want visible on the swimsuit, such as a large flower, center your pattern piece around that. Use sharp fabric scissors to achieve a clean line while cutting. Since you're cutting a stretch fabric, be careful not to stretch it out or snag the edges. This piece will become the outer portion of your bikini top.
A:
Take your front bust measurement. Subtract 2 to 4in (5.1 to 10.2cm) to determine the bikini top's front width. Determine your bikini top's height, based on the coverage you want. Draw a rectangle on your fashion fabric using width and height measurements. Cut out this rectangle with fabric scissors.