When I started quilting 2 1/2 years ago, I used a book by Alex Anderson that taught kids to quilt! It was great. I made 4 different blocks for a sampler.
I have made lots of quilts since then.. traditional ones.. some with patterns (although I tend to make a few changes).. and lately I am doing more and more off the top of my head. A friend calls it doing a round robin by yourself! LOL!
A very easy pattern and one that is forgiving and I think would be great for a beginner is Yellow Brick Road. Most quilt stores have it and you can also find it online.
Barb C.