when i started i did not know what i was getting into lol but i love it so much the one tip i would suggest is classes tho i never took any i would probably be better if i did and find a group in your area that enjoys what u do

join a few yahoo sewing/embroidery groups. you will encounter so many helpful people to answer your questions and "tutor" you. search out in yahoo groups what kind of machine you got and join up. they all helped me alot and i made some great new friends.... :-)

Learn,learn,learn STABLIZERS...so very important.
Which stablizer to use where and when.

I was lucky to join this group right from the beginning.....I couldn't take any classes - so I gleamed so much (and still do) from everyone here....I would highly suggest becoming a part of this group and don't be afraid to ask questions! Great question!*

READ YOUR MANNUAL FIRST!!You will enjoy your machine more IF you know how to use it.
Join Cuteembroidery.com so that when you have a problem, there is always someone there to help.
Take the classes offered by your dealer to better learn what your machine can and can't do.
Have plenty of press and seal on hand for your unruly thread. And set aside a specific time each day so that you have time to play. If not the world takes over and you find you never get to play.
Have diffrent types of stabilizer on hand for diffrent porjects and a wide varity of thread and bobbins. Several types of sissors.. for diffrent uses and a boad load of projects in mind to keep you busy.

Back up your designs often put them to disk even if you are using external savers as they to can go bung it is devestating to loose all your collection as many a cutie can tell you.

Buy quality products. You'll find significant differences between low vs. high end brands. Invest in an external drive and back your design up weekly. ;-) Oh, and make sure your needles are sharp. Dull needles can really damage your work.

Find someone you can call at 2am to ask a question. J/K, but do find someone who will give you an answer you can be confident with and who is pretty readily available.

always do a test design first!!

JOIN THIS GROUP! I have learned so much, everyone so far has been informative not to mention kind and helpful.

Don't get caught up in short cuts. I have found most of them only cause you more time and your work will suffer for it.Make sure you ALAYS have a GOOd seam ripper. It's a life saving tool.

Take care hooping your work. Pay attention to material quality, stabizer, threads etc, and sit and WATCH your first several designs stitchout. This way you will learn about and have a greater understanding of the way your machine works. It's amazing what I learned watching my machine work!

These are some of the best tips.....