never, never, ,never lol

do I pre wash

Please show us your first project, even as you go long, if you wish. Often, we quilters think our own work is much worse than it really is. Maybe you've noticed headings like 'my worst ever' or something like that, when others don't think that at all! Besides, that's how we improve, is by having others help us where we have trouble or telling us it's not nearly as bad as we think!

OK. I haven't been quilting for long, a year or so. I must tell you if you can't afford to shop at the local quilt shop, and not many of us can, then try Hobby Lobby rather than Joanns. Only b/c they keep the fabric lines together for the most part. If something catches your eye, the coordinating fabrics are usually surrounding it. It makes it easy for me as I am not confident in my fabric color choices just yet. Joanns just doesn't keep the coordinates together in my shop.

Hi Penny and welcome from Arizona. I would suggest a basic sewing class or beginner's quilting class. This will help you feel more comfortable with your machine, the basic sewing skills and guidance in purchasing the correct types of fabric. Once you're ready to get your feet wet the answers to any question you may have about quilting can be found here.

Andie :D :D :D

I checked out a beginning quilting class,but dosen't start till the end of Jan.

Could you work on a basic quilt of squares until then? Cut your various fabrics into same-sized squares and put them together. It can be in a pattern or randomly. That way, you could practice some of the basics, like cutting straight, sewing a straight line, just getting used to working with your fabrics.

I have start one already. lol Boy do i need practice or new glasses. I used a cutting block template and still the sizes seem different.

Recommend Pat Sloan's: I Can't Believe I'm Quilting,Beginner's Complete Guide...not expensive, may be found in Joann's if you're near one.

You've received a load of great advice so far.
I'd like to add one.
Check out your local library. Often they will have "basics" of sewing books, and even some "all about quilting" type books. Some may be a bit old, but the only real thing that's changed in the past 10 years is the use of a rotary cutter rather than scissors for cutting.
The rest is variations of the same thing. Joining pieces together to make a pleasing pattern, adding a layer of batting and a back and sew them together - either by hand or by machine, or even by tying them with wool every 4" or so.
To save money while you're learning, you can even use "cheater" batting. Just pick up the prequilted fabric (usually in baby section), especially if it's on sale. Use that for your practise quilts and save the expensive stuff for when you're more confident. Even an old flannel blanket will work for batting. If you're going to machine quilt, I'd suggest spray basting your layers together, and to stay away from polyester batting as it shifts a lot more than wool or cotton.
And shop around. Some places are a LOT cheaper than others.
It is always worth it to take classes. Even the "experts" still take classes.
And don't forget to have FUN!

Take a beginner class. You will learn the basics.

There is definitely a right way to cut fabric and it can't be explained that easliy on a forum such as this.

As far as buying fabric, anything that goes together is okay. But a class would probably help you determine what is quality and what is not.