I just watched a Youtube Video by The Fold Line which recommended this link. It goes to a 1967 BBC programme called Clothes That Count | Shirt Waister, where a women shows you how to sew a 'Shirt Waister' (what I would now just refer to as a shirt dress).

I never realised that the BBC ever had programmes like this. I thought it was interesting that the dress was something I could see myself wearing today (though probably not styled the same way). It's interesting to see how sewing has and hasn't changed since the 60s. She gives tips that people still follow to this day (such as doing one diagonal stitch on a corner), and also mentions things that I would take for granted  (like being able to back stitch on your machine). She does a lot of tacking too, which I always try to do but it's never been ingrained in me.

They talk about the difference between cheaper and more expensive patterns. Things like moving towards printed patterns rather than punch holes, seam lines, different variations and instructions. That's interesting to me because with the boom of indie patterns the pricing of a pattern has changed and is more dependent on the company and not necessarily value for money.

There's some more links on the right hand side that I haven't watched yet. As part of this series there's episodes on the suit and a double breasted coat. One other thing I want to watch is from the 50s and about how fashion comes and goes.

If you don't watch the entirety of it, I do recommend watching between around 19:30~21:30 for the fashion show. I wont tell you why, but I promise it's worth it.

That's lovely! I love the bits of red

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you guys. I just started back at Uni, so I haven't had the time to reply.

Since I'm going for QAYG, I think I'm going to grab a metre or so of Hobbs 80/20 because that seems to be quite popular and widely available.

I'm pretty sure that's the case, they never seem to have anything good at my local lidl.

I think that the jist of it is that every pattern company (including the big 4) has a fit model. This person tends to be smack bang in the middle of their size range, with measurements corresponding. Part of their job is remaining the same size and shape. If a company has multiple size ranges, they might have multiple fit models (eg a plus size fit model as well as a standard).

They'll base their pattern block on this person, including any 'quirks' of this persons body (eg short waisted, wide shoulders etc) and then grade up and down from that one size.

I don't think any company has publicised who their fit model is (which makes it harder to tell what the specific quirks are), but some of the companies will include a larger range of measurements than the standard bust waist hip. If you have a look on the website you can usually find a bigger size chart which includes things like back length, shoulder width etc. Some companies are a bit more reticent with these measurements but hopefully you should be able to e-mail them and get the info. I wouldn't really trust any company who wont e-mail it to you to actually know what they're doing. I don't know why they wont just publish it. 

There are a few companies that will tell you just what body type their fit model is, eg sewaholic is for pear shaped people and deer and doe for hourglass figures with a c/d cup. There are also some patterns designed specifically for petite.

The information is useful because if you're long waisted and you've got narrow shoulders, then a pattern that's based on a short waisted and wide shouldered person will need a bit more alteration, and you may be better off going with a different company. Also if you find a pattern that fits you out of an envelope, and you know what type of 'quirks' the fit model from that pattern company has, it might help you know what to look for in other patterns.

The Jennifer Lauren Pippi Pinafore seems quite close, it just has thinner adjustable straps which I think could be altered easily, and dart shaping rather than princess seams. It is only digital though, I don't know how you feel about that.

https://jenniferlaurenhandmade.store/product/the-pippi-pinafore/

@Marniesews Thanks for the welcome! I am having fun hanging around here.

@SunnySkies There's always time for a tea party in my opinion 

@b15erk I agree with you, I like my toast to be toasted and I like my butter to be melty.

Wow! Lots of replies, you guys are a friendly bunch!

@Iminei It was very overwhelming. I'd been to the creative crafts show a month or so before and that was tiny in comparison. All of the quilts where so cool though, there's so much planning that goes into them to get all of the right fabrics in the right shades. I don't know how people have the mental capacity for it.

@Nevis5 I might have a look into that actually. I'll have to take off the sleeves and redo them first though!

@Sewingsue Thanks! Two of the wearable garments are pyjamas admittedly.

@Bodgeitandscarper Haha. No twisting around trying to pull them up either!

@maliw I definitely will! I always want my sewing to get better and better, and that can't be done without help.

@Fajita Nice to meet you Fajita   

@Vezelay If you ever do decide to put in an invisible zip, I recommend the video on the MadeToSew youtube channel. She makes it seem super easy.

@Kenora I think everything counts proper sewing, whether you're doing it by hand or on a machine, and whether you're making garments or bags or quilts. I hope I'll love working on my quilt!

@Surest1tch Can't agree with you more. 

@BrendaP Ermm... Maybe not haha. We'll see where I go from here.

@Renegade Sewist I hope I will do. I used to work in a coffee shop and the discussions (or should I say arguments) about whether you should put milk with Earl Grey were constant. I'll stick to my English Breakfast.

@Pearl Hello!

@Lowena Hello! What does p&q mean if you don't mind me asking?

@Greybird Hiya Greybird.