I am also a newby. I took delivery this summer but I do not have central air conditioning and it was a really hot, humid summer and my dealer told me not to run it if it was 90 or more in the room which it was! So I practiced when I could and the weather here finally broke in September. I completed my first quilt in November. I have since done 2 others and have the 4th loaded. My third quilt was for someone else and so is the quilt currently on the rack. I do want to quilt for others as I love LAing.