Help I was given a sewing machine BUT
 

hello everyone, I am in great hopes of acquiring some knowledge from all you experienced quilters. :-) I am learning so much and I have an old Brother portable machine and it doesn't do anything but sew forward and backwards. No fancy stitch seam allowance feet or lowering of presser foot, etc. Not sure I understand all that anyway. But now, someone that does sales for people, gave me a sewing machine and I have no clue anything about this machine. All I can find on it is this: Tailor Professional Stretch Stitch It has a LOT of buttons and knobs on it for all kinds of stitches. I am certain it is an older machine. Brand seems to be Tailor. It is in a white carry case, it wasn't stored too well, as the clasps on the case are all rusty, but the machine inside looks clean. I am a little intimidated by this machine also. LOL I don't know if I can learn all this fancy stuff. Does anyone have any suggestions or help with this? I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I am so used to my plain old machine. LOL I am just learning and I only taught myself to sew recently, nothing fancy going on here. But I would like to at least learn how to zigzag stitch now so I can make my daughter some nice mug rugs. :-)
Thank you all for any info you might be able to give to me.

First off it is only a sewing machine....YOU are in control!!! lol Don't be intimidated. Now I would take it to someone that will clean it and make sure it is in working order. If I has been sitting, it may need some oil. Talk to them at the store or the repair person and see if they will give you some basic lessons on how to use your machine. Did it come with a manual? If not you may be able to find a manual on line. Good Luck

Is this your machine?
http://sport-leisure.blurtit.com/146...del-834-sewing

It says Singer manual can be used.

If you can learn to zigzag well, that's half the battle. There are still instructions for fancywork that can be done with just a zigzag machine.

If it doesn't drop feed dogs, some cover them.

Try googling your machine. Put in all the info you have on it. Use any name, numbers and see if one like it shows up.

Be sure the foot has a wide space for the needle to do zig zag. Some feet are made for straight stitch only and the needle will hit the foot and break. Just put some fabric under the needle, and start experimenting with the different stitches.

thank you everyone, weezy rider, that does look like it, I will check it again when I get home from work and then I can print out that manual. thank you so very much. Onebyone, it has lots of zigzag stitches on it, I just have to figure out how to set them and use them. LOL Imsewnso, you are so right, it is only a sewing machine and I shouldn't be scared to try out things on it. If I could afford it, I would take a class on sewing. I bet that would help me a great deal, the money is just not here right now. So I read and ask a lot of silly questions and I learn. Again, thank you all so much for all the great info. once I get the manual printed out, I will be able to clean and oil it and test it out a little. THANK YOU

Shay, your questions aren't silly. We all ask them. We have so many people on here very willing to help you, if you ask.

So proud of you for just jumping in and going with it. I am sure you will love the machine and it is such fun to explore new stitches, etc. have fun.

We all enjoy the tutorials on U-tube. Feel free to go there and watch them and learn from them. They have some on basic sewing to advanced. You can watch them over and over. It could serve as your own private teacher. Best of luck.

Shay, I would suggest you watch the Free Craftsy class "Block of he Month 2013 with Laura Nownes". She covers many basic techniques, and it really is free. Also go to Eleanor Burns website quiltinaday.com, click on the theater tab to access her TV shows, she breaks down how to do things in steps and simplifies techniques. There is no cost for this.