Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting and to this fantastic Quilting Board! One aspect of quilting that is important are threads. Google Superior Threads, and there is a marvelous website with all kinds of useful information such as charts showing what size and type of needles go with specific threads. There are a couple trouble shooting guides, too. The last time I ordered, the shipping was still a flat fee of $3.99 no matter how much is ordered.

Missouri Star is where you should start. Go on line and look at all she has to offer. She has pre cuts and yardage. I only buy 100 percent cotton and love my local quilt shop. Like your mom, I am a fabric snob. I learned that lesson many years ago. Welcome to quilting. I must warn you though...it is addictive.

Missouri Star has great tutorials for beginner quilts, I would start there and decide what you want to make and in what size. You could also google free beginner quilt patterns, to see if you like one. MSQC, Hancock's of Paducah, Fabric.com and many other shops on line I have found to be wonderful. If you see a collection you like it is made to go together and makes choosing easier. I often find there is a color in there I would like to substitute! Good
luck and welcome! Please post your quilt when you get done.

Pick a project and build from there. And don't forget the cardinal rule - accurate 1/4" seams!

Welcome! As far as fabric manufacturers go, you CANNOT go wrong with Moda or Northcott. Both have beautiful fabrics and the quality is outstanding! Just FYI.

If you are looking to start out with sewing just block together I would buy a fat Quarter bundle from Hancock's of Paducah. Usually 12 packs. Always of an assortment of lights, medium and darks that will give you a good assortment to make a beautiful quilt. Buying fat quarter will give you an opportunity to cut your own blocks which is good practice for all future projects. Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day books and patterns are a very good step by step for beginners to start with. She has lots of videos on her web site and on U tube.

My favorite is Missouri Star Quilt Company (MSQC) Jenny Doan is the owner or it is family owned but Jenny does a video every Friday. You learn a lot of tips & techniques for quilting & you can order everything you need to make the quilt in her video or a quilt of your own just using all of her information. She is great! Another one is Eleanor Burns. Quilt in a Day. Another great wealth of info on quilting as far as tips & techniques. Most of the quilters I know only use 100% cotton fabric. I buy most of my fabric online at MSQC & Connecting Threads. I have never been disappointed & always fast shipping. Slower around the holidays.
Welcome to the board. If you ever have questions there is always someone here on this board that knows the answers & they are always willing to help. This is a great place to be. Have fun!

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*** Hi! Y'all from the upstate of South Carolina.
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Welcome to this board, which loves men quilters! Well, all quilters, really!

I'll leave others to advise you on fabric, thread, batting, etc. I have my own ideas and preferences, especially as you begin, without spending a fortune, but you'll get great advice from others here, so I yield the floor.

Oh, I do have one piece of advice: become acquainted with Missouri Star Quilt Company's videos--quilting tutorials-- available on Youtube. Jenny Doan demonstrates cutting, sewing, pressing, and is a joy to watch and learn from.