My first experience was an applique block for a church which I did by hand and without instruction. I have a 92 year old friend (bless her) who verbally told me to cut pieces a certain size. I did this in flannel for a baby quilt gift. She also told me how to make strip blocks (on the diagonal) with dark on one side and light on the other. This is a full size. She also tells me how to miter corners and finish a quilt. She had a quilting business with her daughter many years ago. This site is also helping me. I have been bitten by the quilting bug. The problem is, I spend too much time on the quilting board.