My first quilt (no lessons, all self taught) was a queen size with shell applique with bias strips creating blocks. The blank blocks had hand quilted and somewhat free hand tracings of lighthouses. Corner border had whales. Blocks were 12 inches and I had a ball doing it. I knew nothing and just flew by the seat of my pants. Came out great and my grandson just loves it. He is visually impaired and loves to feel the seashell appliques on it. That was 5 years ago and have not stopped but have improved a lot (blocks still do not piece exactly all the time) but no one cares and they all love their quilts.