When I asked my neighbor to teach me how to sew, she thought we'd start with something simple - I picked a dress. I actually finished and wore it but half of the skirt never flowed right. Now I know that I didn't cut the fabric on the bias.
As for quilting, I thought I could tackle a Lone Star - how hard can it be, right? Well, all my angles are off and it is still in a box. I've been thinking of trying to resurrect it. That is how many years experience later...?