Hi Debbie, welcome from Ohio! I just want you to know when I took my first quilting class I had taken one class and made a skirt. That was the extent of my sewing experience. I've found over the years that there are always beginners and people that have been quilting for years in every class because it seems that there are new gals taking up quilting all the time which is pretty exciting! You won't be alone being new to using a machine and since you already hand quilt I do believe you would catch on very quickly. You'll know when the time is right for you but I just want you to know that I'm sure when you explain your circumstances to wherever you go to take a first machine class(which I would advise) you will find that everyone is very helpful and eager to have you succeed. Yours quilts are beautiful! Thank you for sharing them with us!