good starter project for quilt?

[catalyst]

I received a sewing machine for Christmas. I'll be taking some sewing lessons soon and I was wondering what projects I could do that would work my skills up to making a top quilt. I was thinking snake skins and some stuff sacks. Anything else? I want a winter quilt. I was also thinking about ordering extra material and after making the skins and stuff sacks just jumping in and starting on a summer quilt for my wife before doing the winter one. if it doesn't turn out great it wouldn't be a huge loss and it be good practice for my winter quilt. Any thoughts?

[Dutch]

Snake skins is a great way to practice long seams.

[HomeMadeHiker]

Snakesskins, basic gathered end hammock, stuff sacks, TQ, is general path I took. Lots of nice instruction threads on here to get you started. Have fun DiYing. Its a real blast.

[friartuck]

I took the basic sewing class, the Sewing 101, from Joann Fabrics last year. Watch for their coupon pages and you can get the class for 50% off. Best 17 bucks I ever spent!!!

[USMCStang]

Wrist warmers, stuff sacks, and snakeskins would be good starter projects. You could always make yourself a single baffled down hammock pillow. Basically, it would be a mini version of a quilt, say 10" by 8", and you'll get experience with seaming, baffles, and stuffing down.