congratulations on getting into quilting - it's a fun, productive and rewarding skill.
You can quilt with any fabric you want to use. The type of fabric, however, can and will make a difference in the feel of the quilt, how long it will last, etc. 100% cotton is probably the most traditional fabric, but that would be because years ago there was no polyester...For any quilt to be actually used (vs. hung on a wall) I want to make sure that it will wash and won't ravel (since traditionally quilters sew with a quarter inch seam). For my quilts, I also want all the fabric to be consistent - for example, I won't use drapery weight material in the same quilt as a lighterweight cotton.
I personally try to use only 100% cotton with a soft hand, or feel, and with enough weight to it that I cannot see thru it. I like both the feel and durability of it. I also purchase most of my fabric at a local quilt shop rather than Walmart because I can consistently find my choice of fabric there. Walmart, Joanns, etc., can have quilting fabric that I like, but I have to spend more time looking for it.
I encourage you to take a "feeling" trip and check out different types of fabrics at different shops so you can understand the differences... Then you can better decide what you want to use.
What fabric you use is a personal choice and I'm sure you'll have fun figuring out your style. If nothing else, get a small amount of different fabrics and make placemats or something small that you can use so you don't waste a lot of material.