I started out by using the designs built into my machaine first, to get the feel of it and then expanded out to designs I bought off the internet. I also kept my instruction book next to the machine and kept going back to it to make sure I was doing things right. Go for it, I bet once you get started you will find it is not as hard as you think and you will be addicited, I am. I bought 30 plush throws on clearance after Christmas and have embroidered on all of them for Christmas gifts. Also got 24 fleece throws on clearance and have them all done also. Now working on towel sets that will be Christmas gifts. Let me know how it goes.