Just start. Most shirt construction is based on a two-piece collar, a yoke, and button front. I started with a cheap pattern (McCalls 2447) that covered those aspects, and started modifying from there, but any dress or sport shirt pattern will give you the same basic construction.
Any machine will do. I had borrowed a cheapo Singer Simple machine from my father in law to make some pillows. Reverse lever broke on my second shirt, made a new one with some D-shaft and coupler from Mcmaster-Carr and still using it.
First shirt was recognizable as a shirt and sort of fit, second shirt was better, and by the third I had mostly dialed things in. Like any skill, practice makes perfect. Mostly sewn woven fabric, except for some TOS tunics with the velour knits. Made a pair of pants that I wasn't happy with and intend to loop back to that one of these days. Thing is, wild fabric is more appropriate for shirts than pants, so that is where I have focused.
Any machine will do. I had borrowed a cheapo Singer Simple machine from my father in law to make some pillows. Reverse lever broke on my second shirt, made a new one with some D-shaft and coupler from Mcmaster-Carr and still using it.
First shirt was recognizable as a shirt and sort of fit, second shirt was better, and by the third I had mostly dialed things in. Like any skill, practice makes perfect. Mostly sewn woven fabric, except for some TOS tunics with the velour knits. Made a pair of pants that I wasn't happy with and intend to loop back to that one of these days. Thing is, wild fabric is more appropriate for shirts than pants, so that is where I have focused.
My various works https://dave.org/sewing/