I started quilting about 6 months ago. After several frustrating experiences, I purchased Harriet and Carrie Hargrave's books: Quilter's Academy, Volume 1, Freshman Year, and Volume 2, Sophomore Year. While I'd love to jump right into more complicated quilting, I am disciplining myself to read each class and do every project (in order, no less)!
Even though I'm only about 1/2 way thru Freshman Year, I have learned far more about fabric and basic technique than I'd ever imagined, AND I already successfully pieced the tops of two lap-size quilts!
I can't recommend these books more highly.
Suschi