Is there a quilt shop near you? I agree a beginners class would be a great help, and I bet if you can make it to a nearby quilt shop the ladies would love to get you set up with a pattern that would be good to start with and they will help you choose fabric too. Sites like this are great for asking questions, but sometimes it helps to have someone live in person who can get you headed in the right direction to start.
You could also visit your local craft store or library and see if they have Fons and Porters Complete Guide to Quilting. This was one of my first books on quilting and they explain everything from the 1/4" seam, how to press, how to purchase fabric, what needles to use in addition to showing you lots of techniques. There are a ton of beginning quilting books out there but this one was my favorite.