I am self taught. I learned by reading pattrns and magazines. My first quilt has so many mistakes in it. I used a cotton/ poly blend fabric and 5/8 inch seam allowances because I though 1/4 inch seams would not stand up to the washing and wearing the quilt would have to take. I didn't bind it, but I did "pillow case" it and then top stitch around the outside edge and machine quilted it on my Sears Kenmore machine. The quilt turned out surprisingly well and my daughter still has it. I made it for her when she was 2 years old and she is 37 now. I have come a long ways since then.