My first quilt was a sampler that had 20 blocks. The first ones were nine and four patch, then progressed to half square triangles, appliqué, etc. one block was a picture of our house. It was fun and a way to learn by beginning with simple blocks and progressing to more difficult ideas. It was a way to develop a good understanding of how a jilt block is designed and constructed. The quilt was on our bed for five years, and we still have it.