Originally Posted by quiltingcandy

When I bought my Viking sewing/embroidery machine it was truly an impulse buy. I bought it from a dealer, it was the floor model, so the price was very good. They did teach me to use the basic machine, how to down load the CD's onto my computer, then onto the thumb drive. But it wasn't until I bought the more advanced embroidery program for Viking/Husqvarna did I really start to enjoy my machine. A good friend of mine is fearless when it comes to sewing and crafting, so the two of us spent hours practicing and playing with the machine. We had so much fun - and frustration - she ended up buying her own machine ( a Brother PE770 so we could access Disney designs). My family said listening to us in the sewing room was hilarious. It's been a couple years and I still enjoy watching the it sew.
For all of you that are nervous about using the embroidery machines I wish i could come to your house and help. I am fairly good at reading the manuals now - but it can be so much fun just trying new things and when it is successful sharing in the fun. Mastering a machine can be so much fun.

I have found the importance of using the right stabilizer and the right fabric with the right design. I was trying to sew a design on a baby's onsie and it was driving me crazy, so after checking on the various websites, discovered the adhesive stabilizer which kept the fabric from stretching. A lot is trial and error - kind of like learning to do FMQ.