Buffy, I began quilting 3 years ago & the best advice I can give you is to go to local quilt shops in your area & find one that has beginner project classes & sign up. If there isn't a class available within your time constraints, talk with the shop owner/staff about your project. You will get help & support.

Howdy and Welcome from Kentucky!! :D

Hi Buffy! Welcome from Indiana!

Welcome from Michigan.:)

Welcome! You'll love it here. I'm still pretty new here but this is a great group of people.

If there's a JoAnn Fabric near you, they've got cutting tools marked 50% off through Monday. A rotary cutter and self-healing mat will be your biggest initial expense (assuming you already have a machine, of course) so now's a good time to buy. Make sure you get one of the clear rulers to go with it (Omnigrip or similar)--it really does make a big difference in the accuracy of your cuts. Accurate cutting makes the sewing and assembly sooooo much easier!

My first quilt was a basic 4-patch checkerboard pattern, and it was easy peasy. You can definitely pick it up quickly, but be careful, it is addictive!

Hi Buffy, welcome to the board from CT, :-D

Welcome to both worlds, us and quilting.
hello from te woods of New Hampshire

If there is a quilt shop near you, see if they have a beginning class. Or get a mentor at your church. Or go online to "youtube" and search for beginning quilting videos.
Good luck and welcome from Kansas, a quilters mecca.
Tommie

Welcome from the beautiful Ozark Mountains in north central Arkansas. Be careful, you are in for the "ride of your life!"

Welcome from Kansas