Try something small, but useful. I always suggest newbees contact Quilts for kids. and ask for a free kit. They send you the precut fabric and directions for a small quilt to be given to a child in hospital. You provide the sewing, batting, and backing fabric. Then send the quilt back to them for disribution. You might also look at the easy quilt magazines at the grocery store. Then for a few dollars you will have several patterns and all kinds of tips and directions that you can refer back to in the future