I'm new to quilting also. I took a class at a local quilt shop in May and learned little...mostly what I learned was what I was doing wrong ! Will take another class but not yet. I think the $40 plus supplies is reasonable; I paid $50 but spent another $100 in supplies which I thought was a bit on the high side.
Go to your local library and read all you can re quilting; watch all of the tutorials that you can find and just relax and enjoy it.....as I've heard many many times, there really aren't any quilt police that will show up at your door ! I'm testing that theory !