Go to Walmart and buy some cheap tone on tone fabric or muslin,, and just start doodling on your fabric.. The faster you move your hands the bigger the stitches are..Slower you go, smaller stitches, Set your machine at a speed that you feel comfortable with then just start making loops and circles any thing that comes mind... As far as feathers, just make a ling curved line on you fabric then start making half heart shapes on one side then when you get to the end start up the other side repeating the half heart method... Invest in some books.. I go on Amazon and buy books cheaper than buying them on someones web site... And do go to utube, it has some great videos.. And relax, it does take lots of practice... be easy on yourself, it is like anything else you are learning, it will take a little time... Good Luck..