I am new at quilting also...but I lived in a small farm town when I began quilting...learning from a small group of women who met weekly to hand quilt. They taught me so much. Maybe joining a small group and letting them "teach" you the "lay of the land" in your town would help you be able to choose better. Quilters usually know who's who in quilting in your town......There are good people out there willing to teach..believe me..I know from experience.....I don't know what you should do..I, myself, would chalk it up to a learning time and move on....happy lessons ahead betsy lou