Just wanted to say welcome as you have already gotten some good advice.

Go to Craftsy.com and sign up for their free quilt block of the month. The one I like best is 2012, but the 2013 has good ones as well. 2012 is just a bit more detailed in her instructions. It is a great way to learn new ways and you end up with enough blocks for a quilt when you are finished.

Welcome to the board Happyandretired, this group is full of info. I started quilting before computers, in fact before TV's. Good luck with all your future challenges I love to quilt so I tell every one don't stand still to long around me or you might become part of my next quilt..

here you go a good start. http://www.homespunhearth.com/Free-Quilt-Patterns.
I do not buy books and all that just cus I'm on fixed income I think are may be it just to easy to find it on line so many I get lost in it all.

oh I for got about this one. Now I us this a lot love the web
http://www.favequilts.com/Block-Patterns

Welcome from Massachusetts. All good ideas given so far. Also, you could go into your local quilt shop and ask the gals
for any suggestions they may have. They may even offer classes. Also, maybe there is a quilters guild in your area where you could hook up with other quilters. There are usually gals of every level as members. You could then have some new quilting friends! Happy quilting:)

Hi happyand retired, This forum and tutorials,also go to you tube and type in patchwork and quilting.The best book I have come across is 'The Quilters Ultimate visual guide', edited by Ellen Pahl .ISBN number O-87596 987-9. I wish that had been avaliable when I started out, it's great and covers all techniques.Good luck ,you have started out on a wonderful journey. Love Letty

Welcome Bonnie - do as I did and see if there is a class at a tech school near you. Or join a class at a fabric store, you will learn a lot from others in person, who can show you exactly how to do things.

When I first started wanting to make a quilt, I joined a quilting guild. The ladies all helped me a ton. My first quilt, I cut my fabric all wrong for the quilt they were working on. One of the ladies came to my home and helped me with a pattern that worked for what I had cut out. How grateful I was that I didn't waste all that fabric or make me so frustrated at my horrible start!

Search the web. They have lots of free patterns, even for beginners. You can find everything you need
on the web. Lots of tutorials available on youtube,a lot of the quilting websites have tutorials as well.
Have fun and welcome to the world of quilting. :)