You can always go to Quilter's Cache. There are a myriad of patterns, different sizes, according to your ability at the time. Paper piecing (which I have never done), applique (which I don't particularly care for), it gives instructions on how to cut your fabric and everything. It is a must keep! Also, learn how to feel the fabric. You can feel the quality of fabric with your thumb and index finger just by "petting" it! I learned that from my mother, who learned it from her mother - the "feel" of the fabric. You will learn that! Rail Fence is a good starter as it nine patch. I am personally partial to sampler quilts, because it is basically your design on how you want the blocks placed, the names and what they mean to you, the colors, etc. Then the most important, choose a background! No, not fabric, environment. By a window, in the attic, in the basement, in the dining room, in the room that your child used until he/she moved out and you grabbed before he/she shut the door behind him/her!!!!! You may want to listen to music, or the tv, I like to listen to audiobooks. Doesn't really matter as long as you are happy.
It is a joyous adventure, it is a getaway, a place for you to design what you want, how you want and you are under no pressure (at least you hope you aren't) and you get to know better the most important person - YOU! I found out that I can do it - I just sat behind a table (at the time) and did it. When I decided that I could do it, which everyone can one way or the other, I got a new sewing machine (nothing fantabulous, but enough to make quilts), a sewing table, and the most important tool of all, the seam ripper. You will thank each person that mentions the seam ripper, because you will rip seams, believe me - YOU WILL RIP SEAMS!!!!!!
And then there is the backache! You have to learn to get up and walk around, maybe have a Coke, or tea or coffee or water, or maybe a nice glass of wine. You can sit at your sewing table with your fabric all around you and swig on a nice glass of Chardonnay or Choco-Vine and realize how great life really is! Take a walk around the block with the trusty dog and come back and sew some more. It is a wonderful life, you will enjoy and we are looking forward to hearing your new adventures in Quiltland!!!!!!
Do not give up. If something isn't working for you, set it aside and start something else, but keep the project because you will want to finish it. If I have a problem with a block, I set it aside, work on another block and by the time that one is done, my brain has already figured out what I did wrong. It's really amazing how we work!
Welcome to Quilting Board from St. Paul, Minnesota! Edie