Welcome from Illinois. Watch every show or video that you can, read every book that you can, and, if possible, take some beginner quilting classes. I try to avoid the $50+ supplies type classes but if you shop around and ask at you local LQS (local quilt store) you may find some that are cost effective. And ask questions---a lot!
The "grain" is the weave of the fabric. Straight with the grain usually means that it would run parallel to the selvege edge (which should be removed rather than used in a quilt)