Welcome to the QB! from SE Michigan. Iceblossom has laid out thing ideas on the machine aspect in a great way my preference is a brothers machine too. Welcome to the world of quilting. There are so many that are willing to help you along the way. a good acrylic ruler,cutting mat and rotary are the basics as far as tool. Good quilting cotton fabrics are also a good starting point. Quilt i a Day (QIAD) books are great they tell you what level the patterns are for. Several are for beginners and give great instructions The sampler books are great. Again welcome and feel free to ask questions along your journey there is a lot of help here.