I know extremely little about sewing but my mum loves it and is pretty darn good at at - my measurements are 35/36-26-38 I have a body fairly close to a 40s/50's pin up, probably a bit larger, but "anorexic" in today's money. But I actually LOVE being a 12-14 in sewing patterns. I hate how previously normal woman are now forced into what sounds like toddler sizing.