Laura, It would help if you gave us an indication of where you live. We might be able to recommend a shop or class where you could get some basic training. I am in rural Maryland just south of Hanover, PA. I have been sewing since puberty but had the advantage of having a Mother who sewed and was willing to share her Singer Featherweight with me. That was 40 years ago and I am still sewing and or quilting almost daily. I wouldn't invest in an expensive sewing machine until you find out if you really want to do this. There are some very expensive machines out there whose monetary value drops drastically the minute they leave the store. I am a person who hand quilts. I enjoy the process and makes it possible for me to spend time with my husband and or family and still get the quilt done. I don't hand piece or applique. My favorite is whole cloth quilting. That means that a quilting pattern is drawn on a whole piece of fabric and I hand quilt it by stitching on the markings. This can be done on a pillow top or up to a king size quilt. In my opinion machine quilting is good only for objects like kids quilts, that will be drug around and washed often. I make at least 21 Linus quilts a month using the sewing machine or crocheting around pieces of fleece. For my personal quilt projects it is always hand quilted. A reputable sewing machine dealer offers classes to go with the machine and often gives you the full value of your machine, if it is in good condition when you decide to trade up. I am a Bernina lover but it was more than 20 years before I was willing and able to trade up to a Bernina machine. Good Luck and welcome to the world of quilting.