Reddit mentions of How to Make Sewing Patterns, second edition

I have this book that I quite like. It shows you how to draft basic blocks, and then how to alter them to make other styles of clothes. IDK if it would be considered a beginner's book, but as long as you can follow instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out.

The price tag is quite hefty, but there are other editions of the book that are cheaper (and from what I can tell, they have almost exactly the same information - I have 2 different editions and I don't remember seeing much of a difference between the two)

How to Make Sewing Patterns also seems to be a good book; it seems to follow the same basic idea as Metric Pattern Cutting, but I think it's more simplified. The first book I suggested assumes that you know the basics to measuring and pattern construction, whereas this book starts from the very beginning and assumes you know next to nothing.

I started with this book and modified the shit out of stock patterns. The Green Pepper is a good place to get rather gender neutral patterns and other useful stuff. There are a few other books out there that are geared more towards male apparel but I can't remember them right now. When I get home I can tell you more.

Patternmaking for Fashion Design
and How to Make Sewing Patterns are good resources. The first is more of a textbook that addresses specific techniques in patternmaking (e.g. how do I do articulated sleeves? how do I do an invisible zipper?) while the latter is more of a general introduction.

I use a machine for nearly everything and am horrible at handsewing. The most hand sewing I do is for tacking down allowances or for hook & eye closures so I think you could probably get away with mediocre hand sewing technique.