I've never taken a class..only a brief demo for the 1st machine I bought in CA (and brought back on the plane as carry-on) Oh, and I bought a 2nd machine in CA that wouldn't fit overhead, and the attendant put it in her closet up front. You can't do that anymore! Anyway, I taught myself from the manual, and many embroidery forums on the 'net'. I think I got my first EM about 1993 or so. I love emb and now own 4 machines.