Everyone has covered tools, etc.
To begin with, buy low low low dollar fabric. Make a pet bed, using an easy pattern, if you don't have a pet, give it to a friend, a pet store, humane soc, or donate it. Make another one. Keep doing that until it looks decent. Then buy a bit better fabric do a small quilt, a throw, or a table runner.
My walmart has the fabric back, I'm not happy with the quilting fabric quality compared to price. Same price Hobby lobby/joann/hancock, but much lower quality. However Walmart does have a $1.50 a yard section. Something like that to start with, or buy used garments and cut them up.
Easy pattern: 4p - 9p - D4p - D9p - rail fence - turning twenty (there is a lot of easy patterns)