Joe, I don't have any answer to your how much time should it take, but I will give you some encouragement. I bought my first sewing machine about
6 weeks ago. I have had no instruction, except for some ideas and feedback from the wonderful folks here in the news groups. I made a tank top out of nylon tricot for my wife, with bias cut bindings on the neckline and armholes. I took my time because I was learning, so it took me about 24 working hours to make that first one, but I learned a LOT and think I could knock a second one out in about 4 hours. A lot of that time was (and would still be) stopping to jump up and answer the phone or let the dog out/in. Use care when cutting, and follow the pattern directions. The boxers should be fairly easy. The tee shirt a bit more difficult as the soft stretchy knits are a bit harder to work with. With a little guidance, and no interruptions, I could make the tank top in about 2 hours, including laying out the pattern, cutting it out making the bias strips etc etc etc.
D> I am trying to assess the practicality of learning to sew some simple
clothes for my self. Initially, I could use a friend's machine. >
> Approximately how long should it take me to make items such as (1) simple
> t-shirt (men's) (2) boxer shorts, or (3) simple long-sleeved polo shirt? >
> Is it conceivable, given enough care, that I could make these with almost no
> prior experience sewing?
>
> thanks for any feedback and information!
>
> [please post responses to newsgroup thread...my email address is altered to
> discourage spam]
>
>