Where did you get the machine? Can the previous owner help? You could go shopping at a sewing machine store and ask them to demonstrate their machines for you. Then take what you've learned back and apply it as best you can to your own machine.
If you know the model number, you could see if the manufacturer's web site offers an owner's manual.
thanks for that. i have a manual for it but the terminology that is used throughout and the descriptions assumes that i already have the basic knowledge. i'm surprised as it's a brand new singer. i know how to thread the machine but am completely confused about stitching simple patterns...
Further to the classes post, use the http://www.google.com search engine like this: "sewing machine" +"courses" +"your area" etc (replace that with what your area is) and any other key words that you can think of.