I started with a cheap sewing machine and cheap fabric. Just ran it under 'til my seams were confidently straight. Next, I deconstructed old hand-me-downs and used the pieces as a pattern to experiment with modifying. My early stuff is trash, but I am passable two yrs later. Experience and problem solving is what you need if you really wanna sew, draft, drape, or w/e. The only book I can recommend is that Reader's Digest complete guide to sewing.