It is usually cheaper to join a guild than pay for a class. The guild often has workshops, classes and other instruction which would be covered by the single membership fee. When I started quilting in the early 1970s, I had very little money too. I found that redwork. whole cloth quilts, trapunto etc. were all reasonable and used sheets for fabric. Looking back some of my best handwork was done then. Don't overlook the tutorials online either, many are free!