I did a sampler quilt in my beginners class. We started with a four patch, a 9 patch, friendship star, some applique, a moon over the mountains which was a hand pieced curve, and a house block in which you soon found out if you were sewing a proper 1/4 inch seam, and some flying geese.
It was great fun and gave me confidence to give almost anything a go.
This was my first quilt.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-25964-1.htm