Ditto this. I have also watched several quilt shows on TV which I found helpful.

I bought a pattern book for learning to quilt. It was a sampler broke down into lessons. Each lesson taught something new. The first block was railed fence. It took you all the way through applique. I am one of those who learns from written instructions. I am okay with classes, but I like patterns best.

I took one three-part class at my local community college. The rest I learned as I went from books, tutorials, and this board.

I took home economics in high school, which was many years ago now. I made my own wedding dress which was not elaborate but it was what I wanted at the time. Since then I sewing for my girls. Started making quilts by buying quilting magazines and reading and doing them to my size I wanted to make it. Otherwise I took some classes on making purses. They just have a project and you make it at the class as much as I could get done. I not real fast, I had to finish most of my projects at home. Sometimes we had homework before the class. I just learned by doing and reading.

I got a Keepsake Quilting catalogue in the mail, having never quilted before. I earned a lot of money doing garment sewing and alterations in college and on college breaks, so transition was easy (presspresspress, mind your seam allowances, eliminate bulk, no cutting corners on construction quality, and experiment and have fun).

I was self-taught until I returned to the States (we were overseas with the State Department when I got my catalogue), and then I watched Simply Quilts religiously. I didn't discover quilt guilds until almost 12 years later, and they introduced me to local quilt shops when we retired.

Easiest pattern for a beginner is RAIL FENCE, for a confident beginner, YELLOW BRICK ROAD.

My sister and I took a learn to quilt class at The City Quilter in NYC. It was great.

I read a book and then just started. Learned more by trial and error lol.

I am self taught, got tired of being told, but other quilters, who didn't care to help me, & keep saying, oh, you need to take a class! Well, that might not be true if you already know how to sew & have been doing for years, like I had. So, I went looking through quilt mags, saw what, to me, looked like an easy pattern, then I went home & made one, & have been quilting ever since! If you think you can do something, you probably can, & you don't have wait to take a class. If you do, then you may end up like me, with the two I did take! i got bored, & sat there thinking, for this I took a class? I could do this with a pattern of my own at home, what a waste of time & money! So go for it!...

Basically self taught. Friend and I did take a Express Dresden Plate class about 4 yrs ago. I got hooked but she walked away. I have completed 9 quilts - using BQ - 1,2 and BQ3 pattern - adding the dresdan plate in the large block, made the Take 5 pat for DGK's. Working on a D9P for my sister's 70th and a bed quilt for DD -table toppers, potholders, mug rugs and door hangings. Needless to say I'm having FUN and keeps me busy. Thanks to this site - I have learned more and it keeps me motivated. As for a pattern - IMHO find one that catches your eye but also feels like something you can take on and just go for it. Just take it slow and don't rush.