My one suggestion would be to buy the self healing mats. The plastic ones tend to dull your rotary cutter. I also suggest you get the 45mm rotary cutter to start. Also in picking a seam ripper get one with a small point that will slip under your stitches if having to rip out a seam. I cut every 4 or 5 stitches then pull the thread from the other side. There is a pattern out for an iron tote to take to classes. When it opens out it is an ironing mat with the silver ironing board fabric as a lining. This is something to think about for later on when you will want to take your own iron to class. Good luck, have fun.