a quilt is quite simply fabric layered together with a middle and a backing and held together either with stitching (hand or machine) or tied...when you pull a pot holder out of your drawer you are holding a quilt! so don't get yourself bogged down with little issues. a simple one to start would be to just sew blocks together. depending on the size quilt you want to make...cut squares of fabric, all 4 1/2" squares or what ever size you want to work with...a big quilt would be good with 8" or larger blocks. sew them together in rows sew the rows together, you have your first quilt to put together ;) then decide if you want to tie it, hand quilt it, machine quilt it, or send it out to a long arm quilter to finish for you. beginning your first quilt should be a fun experience...just pay attention to accurate cutting and get that 1/4" seam consistant and you will be amazed at what you are doing 6 months from now!