CraftyPerson, I wish we lived closer (I am in New England). I teach sewing and quilting here and would love to teach you. We could trade lessons for something. I have machines and fabric and all the tools. I would really enjoy teaching such an enthusiastic young lady. Since I'm not there, try youtube.com and your local library. Also ask questions at your local craft/fabric or quilt store. I made my first quilts using my old clothing - can you do that? Just be sure the fabric is the same, such as 100 percent cotton OR use a foundation fabric and do a string quilt. If you are interested in a string quilt, say so and I'll find more resources for you. A jelly roll race quilt, or another name is the 1600 quilt, is easy. You can google jelly roll quilts or string quilts for ideas; if I knew how to attach photos I'd show you some of the ones I've made.
Is there a grandmother in your neighborhood or an older neighbor that would trade you sewing lessons for vacuuming or mowing the grass?
Cricket