Freehand machine embroidery

Is there a local branch of the Embroiderer's Guild? Perhaps ask at the library. Our's is large and active with lovely people all doing different things.

TrishB you can do an introductory online course here www.sofst.org in machine embroidery for £75. They do other online courses as well, including City & Guilds.
I'm considering taking the course myself.

Has anyone checked You Tube. Neither have I, but I will as a matter of interest as soon as I have signed off GN. I brought my all singing dancing sewing machine from John Lewis about 6 years ago (but it is hardly used as I still have to work full time) and the rep who sold it told me that the Chinese ladies in this area (Milton Keynes) were hot, hot, hot! But I never see anything for sale so what they do I have no idea.

trishB I've sent you a private message about a course ...didn't think I could do it here, as it may be seen by GNHQ as advertising .

I hope it will be of interest for you ...but often the places that sell these machines run courses too. have fun

I have a book from That Patchwork Place called Machine Quilting Made Easy by Maurine Noble which is a beginners course-might be out of print(1994) but very clear and helpful just on basics.