Matthew, I'm a pattern follower too. I've been quilting since 1994 and, until recently, I've never really felt the urge to go outside my little box. I love hand piecing, hand applique, and I'm a longarmer.
If you're interested, here's a site where you can find just about any block you'd like to make: http://www.quilterscache.com/ I use it all the time!

I've also found that taking classes is a wonderful way to learn. My guild has workshops almost every month, from either a guild member or an outside teacher.

The most important thing to do is to have fun. Allow yourself to enjoy the process and you'll never go wrong.

You all make me feel so old with your music. Me, I was country when country wasn't cool.
Matt, the most important thing is to enjoy whatever you do. This is all for fun. Try it all, and you will discover what you love most in the process.

I say go ahead and use kits, patterns, whatever you want. If you are happy with that, great! If you get dissatisfied with that part someday, you will have your skills down and you will know which rules to follow and which ones you can break.

Scrounging in Lorna's sewing room was pretty productive too when we visited in the summer . And since I am not much of an applique person it will probably last ages & ages.

Rosemary, if you need freezer paper you can get it on amazon UK. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=freezer+paper&sprefix=freezer+paper%2Caps%2C191&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Afreezer+paper

PosyP wrote:
it is a little much but its helpful that I can come back and read if I need too, and BTW the music may be before my time but I still know most of it, and I am a Journey and ACDC guy.

I've got the freeby that Linda Franz offers - diamonds, squares & triangles. Great for playing with, to get several different blocks depending on how you combine them. But you do need a printer that can take the thicker card weight easily.

For printing on fabric there is a class in the 'Classrooms' section [url]learn/classrooms/[/url] Personally rather than using freezer paper (not cheap or readily available in UK) I starch my fabric really stiff, use a large (standard page sized) label or tape the fabric to a sheet of paper using double sided tape on the leading edge & the sides.

Hope you aren't getting too much information overload.... At least it is written down so you can come back to it as often as you need to.

One more thing. Linda Franz has a really nice site where you can print the block pieces on either fabric or a stabalizer. You can either machine or hand piece the blocks. http://lindafranz.com/ I have the hexagon set and printed it out on Ricky Timms Stable stuff for a grandmothers garden quilt. It's still a work in progress.

Mathew when I started on this quilt journey I made blocks that I found here and there and from those I learned lots of different techniques and what colours and values worked etc. I think as a beginner you would learn so much from the Laura Nownes class here on TQS because she teaches several of those block constructions that really will get you off to a flying start. You will build up your skill block by block (and each one of those blocks could become a mug rug if you don't want to make a quilt with them ) and eventually you will begin to fly solo.

I appologize Matthew, we got a little off topic and it was slightly before your time. Be thankful for that. But I agree with all the previous posts. Do what you like, sit and play. You would be surprised of what you can do. Mix techniques. It's all a playground. BTW I just read your profile. Congratulations on your first hand made quilt top finished in 3 months? Nice job..

Lucky for me, I didn't wear all that crazy stuff. Jeans tees outside if work and Farrah do early to mid 80's.

Scary thing, I was all those, too! Guess I listened to just about anything. But I was mostly things like Nirvana, Erasure and Depeche Mode.

Nancy

Sorry, I was more White Snake, Journey, and Culture club.

I don't remember that song, but I do remember Bananrama and Venus and Cruel Summer. Brings back memories!

Nancy