Well, there's never a better time to learn.
I don't just automatically know what I'm doing. I promise you! Like when I first get a new pattern the first thing I do is pull out the instructions. I study the pattern pieces and what they are within the construction. Then I read the instructions step-by-step. I'm not talking reading like you'd read a book. I read the words and contemplate them carefully to fully understand and visualize in my mind what it's telling me to do. I try to obtain a full basic understanding of the contruction before I ever cut into my fabrics. The hardest and probably most important part is patience. I almost always mess something up. When I get done cursing and yelling I get out the seam ripper, carefully undo it, then go again. I won't say I've never scrapped an entire project because I wasn't pleased with where it was going or because I discovered it was beyond my abilities.
All that said, my favorite patterns are ones that say "Easy" or "Simple". I need easy and simple! LOL! There's also beginner stuff. Try those FIRST. Once you get the hang of handling things you can easily work your way into more complex things.
Find something truly easy-peasy and give it a whirl. Even if you don't have or know how to use a sewing machine. There is NOTHING wrong with hand-stitching. The things I've made in my life that I'm most proud of are the things I sewed entirely by hand. Many years ago when I was working night shifts I hand-sewed my mother a Raggedy Ann & Andy set. Every stitch of the dolls as well as every stitch of the clothing on their bodies I stitched with my hands, not on a machine. A friend of mine creates heirloom teddy bears entirely by hand. They are VERY valuable and highly sought after by collectors. Not a stitch of them ever runs thru a machine. I've actually been thinking recently that I need to find something to sew entirely by hand. I need to work on my hand work and fine-tune my finish work more.
You don't happen to live near Houston, Texas, huh? I'd gladly sit and teach. I taught my sister-in-law to make a rag quilt over the summer. When she first approached me about the quilt, she wanted me to make one for her. I was so afraid she'd be displeased with my work that I insisted I show her and SHE do the work. This turned into the most amazing gift for both of us! I helped her find a great sewing machine and taught her to use it. I showed her how to make her plans, calculate how much fabric to purchase, and cut it all. We did layouts then we started the sewing. It was such fun. The best part was all the hours we spent together just being girls, laughing and talking. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The time meant the world to me. I found, tho, that I like to teach. I get such joy from seeing the pride in someone else's face. My poor sis-in-law never could sew a single stitch. Not even buttons! She was brave to jump in and let me teach her. Now she has a gorgeous quilt that she adores but most importantly she can say "I did this!" She sure did! My crazy fabric-stashing has rubbed off on her, too. LOL! She's been buying up tons of fabrics and planning quilts for lots of her other family members. So awesome!
Don't be afraid to try. At least if you try you will know whether or not sewing from patterns is your thing. If you never try you'll never know. Right?
