I just bought myself a cheapish but reputable brand sewing machine and am halfway through my first pattern cutting it out etc. I find it relaxing. If all else fails I can mend the 6 foot pile of clothes

The "It's sew easy" pattern are almost foolproof if you're starting from scratch (or trying to brush up after 12 years of only sewing at school). If you go into an independant sewing shop they are usually pretty helpful and happy to answer questions too. About 6 women came in to ask sewing issues while i was there looking through the pattern book. I'm not sure if that's because I am in a small town or not but the lady was very patient and honest with what I needed. She even let me play with the scissors to test them, showed where to measure DD and didn't mind DD being curious and fiddling. I made sure I put everything back

HTH hun