Welcome to the group. I too, am new to this quilting board...but not to quilting. I teach at a senior center here in Texas. We have all ages take quilting classes. But out of every 50 students I teach, only one or two hand piece. Nearly everyone machine pieces and then either hand quilts or machine quilts as well. So I would say....you are right on track with all of us. (I save my hands and only hand quilt my tops for family members, small projects and very good friends.) I think the best place to start is make sure you can sew a very good and accurate 1/4" (oops you might be in centermeters)...
quarter inch seam. If you would like, send me your physical address in a PM (private message) and I will mail you a very easy beginning project pattern and a few pieces of fabric from the USA. Again, welcome.