The tutorials on here are excellent so you could start there plus there are numerous free pattern websites that you can look at and get an idea of what you want to try next. Mostly the stencils you see are for FMQ (free motion quilting) to use for quilting on your sandwiched top. That is a whole nother ball game.
Leah Day has a great website from beginner to experienced:
http://www.daystyledesigns.com/
I would go there and look throughout her website for some great ideas.