The first layer of the Rubik’s cube can be solved in two parts; (1) The edges and (2) the corners.

In general, we only pay attention to the squares we’re working on and ignore the other squares.  Avoid turning the cube excessively and pick a side as your top side.  It’s easier to focus on the cube if it’s general orientation doesn’t change too often.  You’ll notice that all the pictures that you see of the cube on my tutorial basically stay in the same orientation.

Part 1.1: Solving the 1st Layer Edges

For this example, I will use the white side as the top side, but you can pick any color.  There are four edges that we need to place.  The White-Red, White-Blue, White-Orange and White-Green edges.

Part 1.1.1: Place White-Red Edge

a.k.a. “What to do when the edge piece is on the 1st layer, but in the wrong orientation.”

The White-Red Edge piece is currently located next to the white center square on the 1st layer (picture 1).  We need to rotate the left side of the cube (green center square side) so that the White-Red edge piece touches both the white center square and the red center square.

1. Rotate LEFT SIDE, CLOCKWISE.  This move places the two red squares together (picture 2).

2. Rotate FACE, CLOCKWISE.  This positions the white squares next to each other (picture 3).