I'm still learning how to quilt although I have 4 machines. I had the slight advantage of knowing how to sew on a machine by making clothes. For a machine look at Estate sales, Goodwill, Salvation Army ect...I always have a ziplock baggy in my purse with a machine needle, thread, and a piece of fabric to test out the machine before I buy it to be assured it works and then I take it to my sewing machine repair place for a check up & tune up. Walmart has great easy to use machines at a fair price for what they do. Do watch a lot of Jenny Doan videos via Missouri Star Quilt Company, I have learned more from there and this board than I have anywhere else. This board is awesome with any question you can come up with, just ask them a question and you'll get quite a few helpful answers! needless to say I LOVE this board and learn something new EVERYDAY from it! good Luck and welcome to the beautiful bounty of the board!