Go to a good quilt shop with a simple pattern in hand. Look until a fabric jumps out and shouts at you, "Take me home!" Then find 2 or 3 other fabrics to compliment that one. Think light, medium and dark. Stack 'em up and step away. Look back at them and see what you think. Then ask a few other people for their ideas. Other shoppers and the store clerks will give you their opinions. Quickly buy your best choices and head out the store to enjoy them! You will forget about all those other choices as soon as you are in the car on the way home. Then jump right in and begin. There is no better way to learn how to quilt than by doing it! Enjoy!