1. To start with: Get yourself cheap patterns. When patterns go for 99cents at the local Joann’s or Hancock Fabricks or wherever, I buy several. Patterns are regularly priced $3.95 and up, I’ve only gotten them once at 50% off. Check the size before you buy the pattern!
2. Get yourself cheap material, but something you’d wear. That way, if the first try is successful, you can use it, and if not, you didn’t blow the bank.
3. After you get home: Cut the pattern apart, but not to the perimeter lines. Leave the extra paper there. You’ll need it to pin pattern down on the fabric, etc. Iron the pattern so it lays flat, unless you’re too excited to do that.
4. Lay your fabric out on a flat surface, according to the layout drawn on the pattern for the garment you are making (patterns may have several garment styles on it). Pin the pattern onto the fabric so that every piece you need is there. Transfer markings onto the fabric. This can be done with pins, or pencils, a marking wheel with some fabric marking paper, etc. Make sure you transfer ALL markings, incluing triangles (usually where two pieces are supposed to be sewn together) , circles (usually marking bustline, waistline, hipline, etc.). I’d love to use pencils or a wheel but I’ve always messed it up, so these days I use pins. Take off the patterns (if you used pins, then pull off the pattern carefully so the pins are left sticking to the fabric — there WILL be holes in the pattern after you do this, so if you don’t like that, choose a different way of marking). Cut the fabric CAREFULLY.
5. Start sewing! Just follow the steps, making sure you understand which side you should be attaching, how long your stitches should be, if you’re basting, or sewing for real:).

More:

• Be prepared to make lots of mistakes and to chuck some experiments.
• As with anything, it’s practice, practice, practice that makes perfect.
• Borrow/buy sewing books, basic ones like those from Singer, or other sewing books. I personally don’t like subscriptions to magazines because I hate fads, and if I sewed the items that come in mags, by the time I get done with a garment, the look would already be passe.
• When you’re ready for more advanced stuff, consider the following:
  1. You can use several patterns to make one garment! Like I bought 3 patterns to make one dress, because I liked the square collar on one, the skirt hem on the other, the back drape on another, the sleeves on another, etc., etc. You get the picture.
  2. Determine what type of clothing looks good on you. Do you look good in double-breasted jackets, or single-breasted ones? Do you like them buttoned, or left open? How will that affect the look? Do you look better in a square collar than a round one (usually, if you have a round face, and you want to de-emphasize that, choose a geometric/square collar). Are there things you want to emphasize/de-emphasize? For example, if you think you have a fat middle, choosing a pattern with a line or separation or change of color where you are thickest will emphasize that. If you’d like to appear more busty, consider adding more fabric bulk in that area, like pleats, or ruffles, or layers. If you’ve got fat arms, don’t pick a sheer fabric for sleeves.

     Things to consider when emphasizing/de-emphasizing:

     • Light emphasizes , dark de-emphasizes; e.g., wide hips? Consider wearing a dark skirt and a lighter-colored top.
     • Lines tend to attract the eye. Don’t put lines or separations or color changes where you don’t want people’s eyes to be drawn. The opposite is true as well.

The most important thing is to have fun with it. If it’s too much work for you, and you still want to save money, then don’t sew. Wait for the 75% off sale and go shopping.