Sewing for dummies

I have been inspired to sew by my friend Joanne.  I have fabric, patterns, cotton, pins, chalk, a sewing machine and some additional frilly fripperies.  Unfortunately I also have no idea what on earth I'm doing.  I've made things before.  In college I had great fun sewing bits of paper that I'd painted with a mixture of gouache and vim (for those who havent seen this wonder item, its a household cleaner - in this case, in powder form).  Since then I've made an array of cushion covers, curtains and fancy dress outfits

However, I've never used a pattern and the instructions may as well be in Polish for all the sense they make to me.

Perhaps I should stick to cakes.