Hi Rita, I am also from the Oregon coast. Tillamook. Which part of the coast are you from? When I started quilting almost 17 years ago I walked into a fabric store and picked several fabrics I liked and a book. I went home and just followed the instructions. When I had problems I called that store and they walked me through my problems. I've been sewing ever since. Only now I have taken over the family room and moved the family to the front of the house.Brenda