As so many others have said, start small. Don't expect expert results your first time out. Do a simple type of quilting. For me that DOES NOT mean stitch in the ditch. I can't stay in the ditch to save my life. For me, simple is cross hatching.
Watch the Leah Day FMQ videos. She has them ranked by difficulty. Do the beginner ones. If you can't stand to waste (I can't), turn your practice pieces into pot holders. Ugly pot holders work great in my kitchen.
