Welcome from western Iowa but only about 65 miles from you where you go to school. Ames has a nice fabric shop called Quilting Connections you might want to check out once they're opened completely. Right now they're open for a short number of hours a day until this virus stuff goes away.........if ever. I started sewing on a Singer 401 or 501 slant machine then bought an Elna 62SU which I'm still kicking myself for selling when I bought my 1st embroidery machine. Wasn't into quilting then but am now. Hope to read more of what you're up to now that you've found our little site.
Also I lived in Florida for 30 yrs before moving up to western Iowa and I've never looked back. Love it here in Iowa.