I also just last Wed. got my new Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 & love it so far. I have a lot of scraps laying around & use them to sew with. I have tried a lot of the different designs in top of the lid. I can't tell u myself what to do, I am just playing around w/ it is so quiet & such an upgrade from the Brother I have. It is so nice and sews so quietly compared to other machines. I rather use my scraps then use a good piece of fabric that can be cut into something I want to make, u will always be getting scraps from everything u sew. Just use yor book and scraps anyway and enjoy it. I am collecting fabric now & went to Hancocks yesterday & bought some fabric getting ready to wash it now. First I have to get out my pinking shears so it won't have so many strings. Good luck hope u enjoy yours like I am enjoying mine. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Maybe u could use some old clothes u have laying around to throw away.