WELCOME !!!! You will find a lot of friendship here. Start out with a four patch ....something small...so you don't get discouraged.

Unless you are taking a class pp is not easy.

Welcome welcome! Quilting is so much fn and it sure beats watching mindless TV. I would wholeheartedly agree with taking a beginner's quilt class or 3, but I would also add to it:
Make sure you have good essential tools to work with. Any machine as long as it does a striaght stitch will work fine but dull scissors, cheap thread and inaccurate rulers will make you crazy and can ruin a project. My recommendations:

2 pairs of cutting scissors,one small for ripping seams (alas) and one large for cutting. Get the best quality you can afford - they last a lifetime.

A large gridded cutting mat

An OmniGrid ruler (I like the 24")

A rotary cutter, 45 mm with backup blades (you replace a lot of these!)

Good thread. I like Gutermann (and they have 1000 yd spools) others swaer by Coates and Clark. Just don't use old thread or no name thread. The breakage isn't worth it.

Beeswax. If you have to do any handsweing at all, this keeps any thread from snarling.

Long pins. New, sharp points.

An assortment of hand sewing needles that actually have eyes you can SEE.

Anyone else have any favorite basics to add?

My first quilt was a sampler. 30 yrs ago. Using a few different blocks. Just to try it out. I now just love samplers. I've never paper pieced. To me it seems like more work than necessary. Taking a beginner class is the best way to go unless you have someone to help you along the way.

Welcome to the board from Chattanooga, TN. I agree that paper piecing would be a tough start for a beginner. I enjoy it and use it when I find a pattern I really love. There are several simple pattern you would love.
Do you have sewing experience? If you do than Log Cabin is a good start. You can make a beautiful quilt with simple straight line sewing and today they have taken log cabins to the next level.
I wish you all the enjoyment and you will find it feed an artistic side or creative side that women are born to need to feel.

Paper piecing is good, but I prefer to piece regular. Everybody has their own way of doing things. Just go for it. If you don't like it go another route. And that way you are trying new things.!

I would try something with squares, it was easier for me. I just starting thinking about learning paper piecing and from what I've learned so far I sure wouldn't try it as a beginner Welcome from Colorado. You will find some wonderful hints and terrific people on this board.

Welcome from Arizona!

Hello from NC = Glad you could join us! Take a beginner class.

I started with a class using Eleanor Burns log cabin...it was so much fun and fast and easy way to learn. AND I had a finished top when the class ended.