02 Nov 20:14
Hi!!
as tracy said, basic sewing techniques are quite good to know. when i started sewing i had some really big problems to understand the "language" of the pattern instructions, even they are for "laymen"
it sounds stupid, but practicing to sew straight or curves is also very helpful, at school we did that with sheets of paper, drawing lines on it and than sew it with a sewing machine without thread.
tote bags and pillowcases are good to start with (i know it´s a bit boring), because they don´t have many or complicated seams and are finished rapidly so you doesn´t get much frustrated if something gets wrong. trust me, thousands of totes that are really nice make you much more happy than a "jacket" that turned out too small and crooked. also there is less expensive fabric you have to throw away... mmh, that was a bad experience *sad*
when you think you can take a step forward, buy an easy pattern and have a try. next time maybe a pattern that´s a bit more tricky. someday, maybe you can make a jacket or a coat.
oh my, this advice is basically autobiographically!!! how scary!
i hope i could help you a bit!
have fun sewing your own clothes, because it´s soooo amazing