I have been quilting for about 2 years. I am incapable of following a pattern completely. Seems like if I try my creative genes take over and it becomes something else. I think you have to just have no fear and dig right in. You do need to know how to make the math work. Also be prepared for some failures but to me it is great fun to just look at my stash and start putting things together. I follow block patterns but not whole quilt patterns. Good Luck. I do read a lot and save a lot of patterns that I plan to try one day...LOL.