Dressmaking...da da daaaaaa

I am going to try to make myself a skirt. I know it doesn't seem that intimidating to anyone else but I haven't used a sewing machine in years and I've set myself a target - make a swing skirt for the work Christmas party. It is very very nerve-wracking and I'm not sure how to start using a pattern never mind setting up and using a sewing machine. Flipping nora this is all very exciting stuff.... I know I need to get a bit more. *sigh*