[No Pattern] Any tips for a (kind of) beginner sewer wh Sewing Machines Parts and Sales in Los Angeles

I’ve only used the whip stitch previously pretty much. The book has some diagrams and diagram cut outs and a lot of Japanese for little animal figures. Do you have any tips before I get started besides starting with an easier book in English? The book uses 3.5mm or 4mm safety eyes, where do you think I could get those (not online)? How do you get safety eyes through felt? What’s the best type of scissors to use for cutting out really small figures? What should I use to trace the cutouts onto the felt? Where’s the best place to buy a pack of colored felt? Thanks! 🙂