Hi Chevie, welcome to the board :D So you have been bitten by the quilt bug too :lol: Buying a machine at a local dealer will allow you to test drive a machine, learn how to operate all it's functions, and take advantage of any classes they may offer. Feel free to post questions here, there is a lot of knowledge/experience here :wink:
Here is a list that was posted here of "must haves" on a sewing machine
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/7536.page
Check out the tutorial section of the board, too. ShellyQ has done a series of tutorials for the beginning quilter, Beginner Blocks #1 through #4
http://www.quiltingboard.com/forums/show/10.page