I learned to quilt from McCall's Quick Quilts (I really need to see things come together fairly quickly especially when I'm learning something). The quilts are "quick", mostly simple patterns, and it has a section in every issue on the basics of quilting: cutting accurately, accurate seams, binding, etc. which I found helpful. On top of that, I spent lots of time searching the library for books with patterns that I liked. You can usually find Eleanor Burns books at most libraries and she always simplifies patterns to make it easy for newbies. Have fun learning (and come here often...you can always get lots of help here!)