>>8619869...And don't listen to that anon, either. You're learning to walk while s/he's telling you what running shoe to buy.
Don't get overwhelmed by the thought of getting a sewing machine and using ball point needles. You're a novice and you're working with VERY small pieces of material that even an experienced seamstress would find troublesome. You gonna have hand sew most of your first Shinki-sized outfits.
If you don't know how to hand sew, then watch some beginner videos on Youtube. Start off by making something easy like a tube top dress. Use a small, thin needle and thin thread as you're working on a small scale. T-shirt material is fine because you're gonna fuck up your first attempts. It's better to destroy something that could be had for free than store-bought. One shirt can supply you with over a dozen attempts to fuck up. Besides, T-shirt material is not very stretchy when working at 1/12 scale. Only buy regular material once you feel confident on your sewing skills.
There is another option. No-sew glues and fabric bonding materials. It doesn't replace good sewing skills and I wouldn't no-sew a human sized outfit. However, I've seen some people use it effectively on doll clothes, especially on 1/12 scale. It's something to consider, but do learn how to hand sew at least.
It may feel overwhelming, but take your time and don't overthink it.
