Denise - I learned a lot from Eleanor Burns’ books and I took classes at my local quilt store. A mat, 6" x 24" ruler, rotary cutter, and a good attitude are all you need!
Vanessa - I recommend classes at a local shop, always. A big ruler, rotary cutter, mat, and a simple pattern.
Lori - A good sewing machine (it doesn’t need to be fancy, with a million stitches, but it needs to make good straight stitches), ¼" foot for that machine, rotary cutter, ruler, mat, classes at a local shop.
Tracy – A good sewing machine, it doesn’t need to cost much. The features I usually suggest for newbies are a good straight stitch and maybe a zigzag, speed control, scissors, and a needle threader. Then for…