I received this machine as a gift, and I am very very happy to have this as my first machine. Its very easy to thread; it has a diagram printed on the machine that shows how it is supposed to be threaded. This is definitely a beginner's machine, as I have a very hard time sewing through more than two layers of fabric. The upper tension is also very difficult to get just right (the tension is supposed to be between 3 and 5, and I have mine set to 7 or 8). This is a decent machine, but not good for certain projects.