Two things I learned that were useful; the sizes on patterns are not the same as the clothes you buy and sheets make good pajamas.

Make the mock-up! My son asked me to make him a historical coat. I had never made one, but gave it a try anyway. After 2 failed attempts, I realized I had to adjust the coat pattern. I had no idea what I was doing so I gave in and made a mock-up so I didn’t waste more fabric. It worked beautifully and I was able to use the mock-up as the lining for the coat. He’s very happy with it. I learned so much from that project. You never know until you try.

Thanks for your lovely and honest encouragement Nikki ❤.
May I add 3 tipps to your list:
1.) get youfself an well established and comprehensive sewing book, like "New Complete Guide to Sewing" by Readers Digest AND USE IT as a workbook while learning/sewing.  Saves you hours in stupid scrolling and online research...
2.) keep a Sewing Journal near your sewing machine, for sketching, thinking, planning...
3.) create your own online database (e.g. with Notion) where you save all the Information and Inspiration you find on the internet in a systematic (!) way (eg. Sewing techniques - Zippers, Pockets,...).  You can add links, videos (with timestamps), documents, pictures, podcasts, own thoughts. Its like a Journal with a lot more dimensions and helps you to find info fast, when you need it. I just discovered this recently... what a gamechanger for an oldfashioned analog person like me! 🤩

My 11 y/o son has wanted to learn to use my sewing machine for a while. Yesterday I taught him. He sewed a chicken, not from a rectangle or fabric, but a curvy round one. It turned out amazing!  
Save you fabric mistakes! They will not be wasted. They can be used in time. I use mine for stuffing, for foundation paper piecing, I make little patches for my husband's work jeans... the scrapabilities are endless!

Nikki, I’m all in for your tips on garment sewing.  I’m a quilter and hand stitcher—never made a garment in my life.  But, with a sewing machine and sewing skills, I LOVE making minor alterations to garments to help them fit me better—side seams, taking in Tshirt  cuffs so they don’t  fall down on my hands, etc..  You’ve given me even more ideas for minor alterations!  Thank you!!

I am just getting back to sewing after a long gap, and have been checking tons of channels. So happy to have found yours! It is exactly what I needed

Every Indie pattern I've sewn contained the BEST instructions! And they often have a complete YouTube tutorial.  Learning to sew today is completely different than thirty years ago. It's much easier!

I have purchased curtains and sheets from the thrift store and after washing them, used them for sewing. Cheap enough if the project doesn’t work out.

I love the “what would make me wear this” series! I find clearance or thrift shop items and find a way to make them mine from this series ❤😊

Sheets are awesome to use for when your learning. I actually wear most of what I made from sheets because they are so cozy

Good information.  I have also been sewing for 3 decades and still make mistakes! Sometimes it's just part of the process. 😊

My biggest tip for sewing garments that fit is that pattern sizes are not the same as your size in the ready-made clothing store.  You must take your measurements, and compare them to the body measurements on the pattern envelope.

You do such a great job! May I suggest to those that are hesitant in starting to read patterns for clothing, that they use instructions for an item they are familiar with sewing; i.e., if they sew tote bags, without a pattern,  get instructions for a tote bag and sew that. Venture out of their comfort zone one step at a time. And always make a sloper--I use old sheets.

Another tip for new garment sewers is not only to use basic patterns, but maybe patterns in children’s sizes. Less fabric needed, less time consuming, perhaps less intimidating. This, of course, would be a stepping stone to sewing clothing for yourself.

21:34 on this subject, Charlie at The Stitchery has a lot of "just wing it" garment making. Last Friday she did a whole video on making clothes just using rectangles of fabric, minimal fitting.

This is exactly what I loved about your channel! Not the decor and quilting, but clothes.

Nikki - you are just the best! You make everything so beautifully uncomplicated ❤️ Love your channel and everything you share with us. You taught me that sewing can be so much fun ⭐

I would love a video on stretch knit fabrics, without a serger. I have a Janome sewist. You always have the best topics, love…love…love your channel!

One thing that helps me with my garment construction is following the people that have been sewing for quite a while. Now I am not a new garment sewist. I have been sewing for 60+ years and I still learn things from other sewists. I think I have found a pattern company that fits me. Love Notions Patterns out of Joliet IL has product support, no trim PDF patterns, Full Bust Asjustment pieces included in their patterns and are very size inclusive with Men's, Kids and Ladies patterns.

You are so right on the advice to, "Just wear a slip!" I sewed one garment in home economics. Yes, I'm over 60😊, and volunteered to make bridesmaid dresses 30 years later. They were pink silk and lined with white silk! I thought my brain would blow apart dealing with the linings, but they came out beautiful. Never again! 😂