If it weren't for the free machine usage classes offered by my dealer, I'd be lost as well! They even let you take the classes if you bought elsewhere (great marketing - gets you in the door, and then you sign up for more classes, and then buy the supplies needed, and then see all the other machines your fellow classmates are using and then you find the bigger/better machine that you just have to have!).
I think there is a learning curve no matter what the brand or model - my Pfaff Ambition was very easy to learn & fun to use!