If you don't want to take the time, buying online is easy -- equilter.com, Missouri Star Quilt Company (MSQC), Hancock's of Paducah, Over the Rainbow (overrainbow.com) and Marshalls are all great sites but there are others. You need a cutting mat (larger is better), a rotary cutter (and everyone has their favorites) and at least a 24" ruler -- I would get on the Joann's fabrics mailing list since you can get most of this (and other gadgets) on sale. As was suggested, Quilter's Cache has lots of block patterns with directions and she rates them by how hard they are. Several patterns are very easy -- rail fence, nine patch, split nine-patch, four patch. An easy way to get started is just make several blocks using the same fabric and the same size and put them together into a quilt -- an easy way to make a sampler quilt and learn different techniques. If you can take the time to go to one quilt shop just to feel the fabrics and look at the different fabrics available (there are solids, tone on tone, patriotic, florals, novelty -- so many kinds) it will give you an idea of what you like and what is available. Most of all, have fun.