I've been sewing all my life, started at the age of about 5. I still make most of my clothes and have started sewing for Olivia. I've at least one of anything you can think of. One the hardest things to get use to for me is the difference in seam allowances. After piecing quilts the 5/8 looks so large that I remeasure it. When sewing for the bottom half, I sew the seams at 1/4", then try it on. It's easier to take up the 1/2" then is it to take out. I use a serger to finished my seams. Good luck, I'm sure you can do it. As several people have suggested, start with something easy and little fit. Vintage are more fitting. I think McCalls run the largest. I wear a size 6 skirt and pants in ready to wear and a 14 in patterns. Go figure. Measure, measure, measure.