Originally Posted by Cherylsea
Welcome from coastal central Florida!
You might want to check out a local quilt store for a basic class. See if there is a local quilt guild. Check out books from your library. If you are more of a do-it-yourself type there are Tutorials on the Board and tons of YouTube videos. It's basically mastering the scant 1/4" seam and keeping everything squared up. Getting better takes a lifetime of fun!
Well said!! I taught a beginners adult class and this is how I started them off. You can do this on your own (but I do recommend viewing the videos). 1. Get a nice weight light colored cotton fabric and cut it into strips of about 5 inches wide (so you can have something to really hold onto. You can cut them down into narrower pieces later on when you get the hang of it. 2. DRAW a line 1/4 inch from the right edge of the fabric. 3. With your left hand slide the fabric under the presser foot, lining up the needle as close as your eye can judge. 4. With your right hand, manually turn the wheel until the needle goes right through the line. 5. Put the presser foot down and slowly begin to sew going as slow as you need to go to follow the line. [You can also practice on lined paper without thread in the machine.] Do this until you are able to "sew a straight line." One you are able to manage the machine with a piece of fabric, you are ready to begin sewing two pieces of fabric together. IMHO, this is where to begin if you've NEVER sewed. Learn your machine first.
Oh, and welcome from South Louisiana. You'll find answers to your questions here. And you'll also get LOTS of valuable opinions. Good luck and happy quilting.