Take classes if you can, that really helps when you are first starting, that said, don't take all of one teacher's rules as gospel. Each teacher will show a slightly different way of doing the different steps. Remember what works best for you and do that step that way. I've learned a little something from every class I took, even the one where I had a teacher that wanted everything done her exact way, I truly believe that no one teacher's way works for everyone. She did manage to teach me to hand sew 16 stitches per inch.
For beginners, I really think one of the first things a good teacher should teach is how to pick a pattern and the right fabrics (type, quality, color, pattern and texture), this comes very hard to some people. Then, which necessary tools to buy that will be best for the job, then, show the proper & safe way to use them. And then they should get into the steps used in making a quilt.
If you look at some of the older Eleanor Burns videos, you can learn a lot. I like the ones she did for her Jewel Box quilt. Part 1:
http://www.quiltinaday.com/theater/scraps/scraps02.html & part 2
http://www.quiltinaday.com/theater/scraps/scraps03.html