start with your 4-patches; place a light & dark 5" squares together right sides together, stitch a 1/4" seam down one side; press toward the dark (place your stitched squares on the ironing board with the lighter fabric on the bottom, press over your stitching...this sets the seam...then flip the top piece open and press the seam open. do this again with 2 more squares. after pressing the second set place the two sets together right sides together. match the center seams (as long as you pressed both toward the darker fabric they will (inter-lock) at the seams and fit perfectly. place a pin near the center if it helps you hold them together. sew your 1/4" seam, press open and TA-DA you have completed your first 4-patch.
we may be getting alittle ahead of the game though...first thing you have to do is find your 1/4" seam, so if you havent' done that yet, that needs to be first...cut 3 strips of fabric (5 or 6 " long is good) each 1 1/2" wide sew them together with a 1/4" seam, press and measure, it should measure 3 1/2" wide. with the center strip measuring exactly 1" if they do not, adjust and try again until you (find) your mark. it is important to learn to sew a perfect 1/4" seam because pretty much ALL quilt patterns call for 1/4" seams. being off by as little as 1/8" can add up to a whole inch off in only 8 seams. makes a huge difference.