My project in my beginner quilt class about 25 years ago was a set of oval placemats with a Grandmother's Flower Garden applique in the center of each one. Lots to be learned: hand piecing, applique, set in seams, binding with curves, etc. However....I am not a "placemat person"! Neither was I ready for that beginner class....so I'd recommend what I taught myself on, which was a set of sampler blocks. They never made it into a quilt (YET, ok?) but I learned soooo much more than I did in that class! Oh, and I'm not/never will be a hand piecer either! :)