Prior to getting started on projects with your hobby of embroidery, it is good to take some procedural maintenance steps on your personal embroidery machine. People generally do not maintain their embroidery machine until there is a problem that is evident. Do not fall into this trap, because once there is a problem with your embroidery machine, it is a pain to fix. Catch the problem sooner, and fix it right then.
As simple as it sounds, the best step to take in maintaining your embroidery machine is to clean it. The bobbin area and surrounding area of the feed tends to become full of lint, and should be cleaned at least once every couple of months. This will prevent larger complications with the machine in the long run. Needless to say, every sewing machine is made different, and has different specs. Refer to your sewing machines manual, and through there you should be able to find what you need to clean, and how exactly you can clean it. There is generally one or two screws near the feed that must be removed in order to be accessed for cleaning. When disassembling the feed, be very careful as to how it is supposed to be. Many people disassemble it and then later have no idea how to put it back together. This is a huge pain and will sometimes require you to take it to a sewing shop to have it fixed. Easily avoidable mistakes, given the right steps are taken.
When you have unassembled it, a lint brush is the easiest tool to use. Use it to wipe the areas thoroughly. Next, open the area where the light bulb is, and clean it also. This is not as important as cleaning the feed, but you might as well do it while maintaining other parts of your sewing machine. It will not take long, and in the long run, will give your embroidery machine a better life expectancy.
Since your machine is already unassembled, it is a good time to oil the machine. Do not use any regular oil. Try to purchase some high quality sewing machine, as it will improve your machines performance. The manual will usually specify what areas of the machine must be oiled. Not a lot of oil is required, and the general rule of thumb is to put a drop of oil in every spot that needs to be oiled.