When I first started...Simply Quilts was my classroom also. I checked the local library (they had 1 book on quilting)..So...I just used the beginner book that came in a kit from Wally world..it included the book, a rotarty cutter, a 6" ruler and a tiny cutting mat. That was in 06, since then, I've found Youtube, this board and a LQS that offers classes. I have since taken 2 classes- machine quilting and a class from Libby Lehman to learn techniques. I do better when I don't know that I'm not supposed to do certain things...then I just go ahead and figure out how to make things work.