Making clothes for beginners?

[Chewbecca]

Hello, I'm taking a break from work soon and would like to have a go at making clothes.

I am a bit rubbish at creative things generally but am a good cook as I can follow a recipe precisely and am hoping that may be able to translate to sewing?

So, my questions are

• would a basic sewing machine be fine (John Lewis has one for £125)
• any pattern sources you would especially recommend?
• I was planning to buy fabric from a local store - any reason not to?
• I think I need to buy a few other basics like lots of pins, weights, good scissors
• anything else I need to think about?

The reason I am keen by the way is that I am a bit of an awkward size and know what suits me but struggle to find perfect items and am hoping make my own could be the future when I have more time on my hands!

Thanks in advance

For sizing start with your above bust measurement then look at full bust adjustment there is also another bust adjustment but I cant remember rthe name for people with less

If you make to your full bust measurement (ie for me I am 44 full and 34 above bust) the shoulders are too wide for me