My first real quilt was a Trip Around The World that I made at a week long Elderhostel Quilt class I took back in 1999. I was the only newbie quilter in the class but I have to say the instructor made sure I learned the basics. My supply list said to bring pins and I brought about 10 big safety pins and a few straight pins. I didn't have a quarter inch foot so most of my seams were off and didn't match up but I was proud of that quilt. Went home and made a baby quilt and a twin size quilt in that pattern.
Did make a something like a quilt way back in the 80's. It was a queen sized duvet to cover an old blanket. I sewed a bunch of big calico squares together and used a wild patterned sheet for the back. No tying or tacking down to hold it together but it served as our bed cover for a few years. Even made a calico bed ruffle to match. May in Jersey