Hello from me too. I've been sewing for 45+ years. I made a suit when I was 22 that was beautiful but almost unwearable because the fabric I picked was coating, not suiting, so for most occasions it was far too hot to wear! I learned...
There are lots of online fabric vendors and some of them will, for a small consideration, send you a swatch so you can see what it's like before committing. I find
Empress Mills are very helpful on the phone when you're not sure what you want is suitable for what you want to make. They're also great for haberdashery at economical prices and will sell you for around £10 a wrapped-thread shade card so you can see exactly what the thread looks like against your chosen fabric. The colours apply to all their ranges of sewing thread.
Point North is also good for giving advice over the phone, if you want to venture into outdoor fabrics.
I find hand finishing a fairly zen activity but would lose patience sewing long seams by hand - for that the sewing machine is king (queen?)