I also was overwhelmed when I got into quilting. Going to our guilde, everyone seemed to have everything but me; different sizes of cutting mats, several rotary cutters, quilting boxes, several sewing machines, fabrics by the yard; you name it! All I had was some fabric a sewing machine and thread.
After belonging for awhile, I went to the guild garage sales and bought supplies quite inexpensively. People gave me fabric, garage sales in town had fabrics and supplies. Pretty soon I was brimming over!!
Then I got on qb, and noticed that people just use what they have. So, I just forged ahead and little by little, I have more than enough supplies and fabrics, and just use what I have.
One lesson I have learned the hard way is to quilt any minute that is free. When we go out of town, vacation, ect, it is hard to get back into the swing of it. People might think that is all I do, but they don't know what it REALLY is like!
Good luck, and most of all, enjoy it!
Mariah.