Hey there and welcome from St. Paul, Minnesota. I have never taken a class. When I first started out the only person I knew who quilted was Mom. She got my two sisters and I going on it. We love it. I found that by jumping in and going for it did the trick for me. My very first project was a quilt. And then the ever loving sampler. I have learned as much from making a sampler as I did from my mother (she had the sneaky little tricks). Your enthusiasm and love for quilting will make you a good quilter. You may find you do things differently than someone else, but it is your way of doing it and it is still right. I have no fear about making a quilt, but to make a table runner is very threatening to me right now. I would love to make some for Christmas gifts for the neighbors. I will, one of these days. In the meantime, I make quilts.
You will find a lot of really good tips, information and ideas right here. Keep notes! I forget something and if I don't write it down it is gone! Keep notes! Edie