Welcome from North Central Missouri. Lots for the beginner here,and how to do things the right way. I was self-taught and have many bad habits in quilting. Just remember, like the journey that always begins with the first step, quilting begins with the first stitch.
Lots of people think we are crazy to cut fabric up into pieces and then sew them back together again. Start with the easier patterns recommended here on the QB board like a nine-patch or log cabin; ask questions here and at your local quilt shop...there are no dumb questions. Main thing is to have FUN.