There's definitely a learning curve, selecting the right fabric, stabilizer, thread and design. You learn as you go. I've gotten better in the 2 years I've had my machine. I've found that doing test samples with different stabilizers and threads pays off in the long run. Keep a notebook of what works and what doesn't. Look for help online, like this page from Embroidery Library:
http://www.emblibrary.com/el/elproje...ulHow-Tos.aspx Be patient and keep working at it. Good luck!