I, like you, did not come from a quilting background......I was drawn to Eleanor Burns books...her directions are clearly written and well illustrated..and for a beginner that is important.....samplers are fun...introduces you to a great variety of blocks, techniques.......you will eventually lean to a specific design more than others...I.e., piecing, appliqué, etc.....but you should, in my opinion, try at least one block of different patterns, just so you know how to.....not necessarily..want to do a whole quilt of it......JMHO..btw...I still have a few I haven't had the nerve to try....one being DWR....and it has been many years.....