Geri B

I, like you, did not come from a quilting background......I was drawn to Eleanor Burns books...her directions are clearly written and well illustrated..and for a beginner that is important.....samplers are fun...introduces you to a great variety of blocks, techniques.......you will eventually lean to a specific design more than others...I.e., piecing, appliqué, etc.....but you should, in my opinion, try at least one block of different patterns, just so you know how to.....not necessarily..want to do a whole quilt of it......JMHO..btw...I still have a few I haven't had the nerve to try....one being DWR....and it has been many years.....

ShelleyCS

I have not been quilting too very long, but I like bed sized quilts. I have done a sampler in a class, but didn't feel I got a great handle on any one block doing it that way. So, in order to best learn particular skills, I set about making quilts with one technique at a time. I did a bed sized scrappy quilt entirely with small squares and learned how to make all those seams line up. I made one entirely out of small half square triangles, and by the time I was done, I could set those points and work with biased edges with no difficulty. They're skills needed for lots of different types of blocks and I enjoyed working a technique till I felt confident in it.

Everyone has their own strategy, but I think it was beneficial to me to learn well (through repetition) the basic skills that let me take on blocks I like as I come across them, rather than aiming for particular blocks.

LindaM

Lots of great advice here. Your local library may carry a few books on quilting that may get you started.

One of the things that changed how well I quilted, is starch. I now starch almost everything - makes piecing easier and keeps bias edges from getting pulled out of shape so easily.

I'd also bet that if you talked to some of the quilters in the local guild, even though you can't get there now, you may be able to connect with someone to ask for personal hints and help. Many guilds have working groups (for example to make comfort quilts) that you could join - those hours may work out better for you.

ManiacQuilter2

quilting candy is so correct. Find a simple pattern and fabric that appeals to you. The most important thing is to be able to stitch a consistent 1/4" seam. That is so your seams will be accurate when connecting blocks or pieces together. Most quilts are made with either squares/rectangles or triangles. HAVE FUN !!

Annaquilts

I agree a sampler is a great way for a new quilter to get used to and introduced to new blocks. Quilt In A Day (Elanore Burns) has several books (ex. Under Ground Rail road Quilt) with blocks that are made simple. Also quilter's cache online has many easier blocks. Just look at the rating. This way if you do not like the block you only have to make one or you can even skip it when you are partially in to it but do not like it.