[QUOTE=nangars;5418510]You owe it to your self to take some classes, we will find out just how much you love to embroidery, these machines are to expensive not to use them.
I have to agree when it comes to taking classes. If you can't find classes on your machine then check out places that offer classes to anyone. My viking teacher will allow anyone into class as long as they know how to do the basics of their machines. Tidewater sew and vac here has an embroidery club that anyone can join. Once you join it is eaiser to meet people to get help and maybe have the same machine. I have taken off from work a few times when there was a special class offered during the day that differed from my nightly/monthly club class at the LQS. No matter which way you go I'd start off and still incorporate classes for your own machine even if it was a distance a way. Not all machines are the same and you need to learn things that the books don't even tell you. I was surprised at the things my machine does but I can't find it in the book. Make a day of it; find some quilting or other stores in that area that you like and or if there is a special grocery store pack a cooler and go then. I only have to go about 30 miles to mine but normally plan a few things to do when in that area if it's during the day. I do the same thing when I go to the stores 20 miles away; when I go I visit several things and make a day of it and then I don't waste gas going back and forth and just enjoy myself. Enjoy your machine; they are so much fun.
I have a Viking Ruby and it has never been finicky about anything that I put thru it. It has so many features and tons of different hoops including the endless hoop and then my favorite is the cutwork needles which makes those designs so much more fun. My grandson thinks its really neat how the needles cut the fabric. He also loves the embroidery machine because I can set it and walk away and it keeps on working; all by it self he says.