Welcome from South Louisiana. If there are any fabric shops close to you, it would be good to go in and see if they have a beginner sewing class. It probably won't be hand sewing, but the tips they will give you to sew on a machine will apply no matter if you sew by hand or machine. My friend who is not much of a sewer has bought the 10" layer cake packs and made quilts for her husband, grandson and granddaughter. The advantage of those is that they are big, all the same size and usually from a fabric line where they have some gorgeous pieces of fabrics. You don't have to put a border on it, just add backing and batting and quilt it. Missouri quilt company has some really pretty layer cake packs.
https://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop...lt-layer-cakes