I think you've asked a fair question --- now my answer. How fast YOU are is not something anyone can answer. I have a friend that I let use my machine for a charity quilt. She discovered how tiring it is! Think exercise --- when you first start using it, you feel like you've been beaten up (at least, those of us that don't regularly exercise, it does! ). She also discovered how hard it is to control the machine. BUT, when I started, I didn't find it as hard as she did. It takes a while to get comfortable with it. Two hour class and a practice piece should get you where you enjoy the meandering, etc. Anything like feathers, crosshatching, etc, will take longer -- a lot longer. I say go for it and ENJOY. At least, then you'll know whether you'd like it or not!!!!