Try the Falling Charms quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. There is a video to guide you and it's free. Don't burden yourself with a pattern that is too difficult for a beginner. Your friend will be just as happy with an easy quilt and you will be much more at ease with your project as you learn to quilt. If you have a friend who quilts, ask them for step by step guidance. If there is a quilt guild near you, or a quilt shop close by you can probably get some help from them as well. Like everything else you learn, quilting takes some practice so don't expect miracles with your first quilt. If you have never done any sewing at all you should practice on sample pieces until you are comfortable with just the sewing aspect, get a good 1/4 inch seam going and good tension on your seams. Then you will be ready to go with the machine. Practice cutting with a mat, ruler, and a rotary cutter so your pieces will be accurate. Good luck and please come back to the Board if we can continue to help.