My suggestions:

Take an easy sampler class, but talk to other quilters to be sure you get a good instructor. Samplers give you a start on a variety of techniques. The instructor in my first class berated almost everything, from my color choices to where I bought my fabric and I almost gave up quilting then and there, but have since had some great teachers.

Purchase a good basic reference book, like Fons and Porter. This will be a good tool to use always. I keep mine nearby and refer to it often for cutting bias, binding techniques, etc.

Start with the basic tools: mat, rotary cutter, scissors.  The more experience you get, the more tools you can buy and know better what you will need or use. I have bought and tried a lot of items that I did not like and were a waste of money for me. Usually I can trade with someone so it is not such a loss.

Enjoy!!! Quilting should be fun and relaxing. There are no quilt police and do what makes you happy.

CAQuilter

Editor's Note: To find the book mentioned, go to the Fons and porter web site:  www.fonsandporter.com.