I'd say to start off you need a 6" X 24", an 8" X 8" or 12" X 12" for squaring up blocks or your top, then a 6" X 6". If you do paper piecing a lot having an Add -A-Quarter and Add-An-Eighth are wonderful. I also use a 1" X 12" a lot. For the larger ones, make sure they have 45 and 60 degree angles marked on them. I also seem to like the Omnigrid ones w/ their yellow markings VS ones w/ black. That's a personal preference, so that's up to you.