Firstly you need to ensure your needle is centred, remove the presser foot for a bit of room, lower the needle down into the needle plate, and then measure from the needle to the right to each marking on your needle plate.
If you are in the USA, then I'd guess there would be three markings at 1/4" 1/2" and 5/8". Quarter inch is your narrow seam for quilting but if you are sewing garments, then the seam allowance is usually 5/8", it would be marked on your paper pattern though. Some patterns such as Burda came with no allowance and you need to add them on, again it would be marked on the pattern though.
If you are in a metric country, then it will probably have 10mm, 15mm and 20mm marked. Normal seam allowance is 15mm.
If you have trouble remembering which marking to use, you could always stick a strip of masking tape onto your plate along the line you use for seams until you get some sewing experience.
You might like to visit
www.sewing.about.com, Debbie Cosgrove gives loads of very useful information there, a learn to sew page along with some free projects. At the tender age of 10 I recall sewing an apron and triangle scarf in home economics as my very first project on an Elna Star SU, simple projects are best when starting out.
If you are going to sew garments, then you may also like to check out
www.patternreview.com, I love this site as members share their experience with commercial sewing patterns, some very talented sewists there; many of them have their own blogs too.
If you can find a sewing beginner class, take it, it will get you started with basic techniques that patterns don't really give you and help with that initial learning curve. And my last suggestion, invest in a good sewing textbook; I've got the Vogue Book of Sewing, and also the The Sewing Book by Alison Smith published by Doring Kindersley; I love this one, loads of great images and its a fresh publication. Bit pricey but if you could always ask a loved one to buy it for Christmas. Feel free to connect to me if you have any other sewing questions, I'd love to help.
Happy sewing
×