Hey!
Coming from a new girl, to a new girl... welcome
I used to do strictly machines, i was so scared that i was going to hurt myself or something using free weights but that's all i use now (with the exception of the calf machine). i find it's way better to use free weights than machines for both upper and lower
for my lower body i do lunges with dumbbells and squats, and i find that works out my legs better than a machine has
Good luck