When I first started quilting, I purchased a VHS tape from Georgia Bonesteel, and regret she never did more, or at least none that I knew about. Her visual and written directions were very clear, and I especially love how she makes her not to being quilting. Then she came out with Spinning Spools, with monthly patterns and plastic templates. My daughter picked out one of her patterns for the first full size quilt I ever made and hand quilted. I also love watching Eleanor Burns on TV and have several of her books. Her directions are very easy to follow and you get beautiful results. I especially love her story about how she had become a single parent and began teaching quilting and making patterns to make a living. Mary Ellen Hopkins is another favorite, with simple directions for stunning results, and in person she is quite funny. I also learned a lot about paper piecing from attending a class with Carol Doak.