I learned to hand piece and quilt when I was a little girl, back in the early 1970's...my grandma taught me. We started with a simple 9 patch. I also made 2 of Sunbonnet Sue, and a Grandmother's Flower Garden. Helped with a Lone Star...they are all finished except for the Lone Star.. I actually had forgotten about it, found it last year..the very center of it does not lay flat, and as it was made with cardboard templates, I am not sure it WILL get finished...lol...we'll see...I actually have some of the old pattern books, from Colonial patterns and Aunt Martha's...they are still in great condition with templates and applique patterns included in them.