If you've never done this before, I would recommend you to head for specialized integrated circuits like the DRV8825.
It's the best way to have smooth motion, and avoid doing any damage to the motor. Moreover, the current limiting feature let you use higher voltages than the steeper would carry to increase its maximal speed (by increasing the current rising speed).
All you'll have to do with your microcontroller, is to output one direction signal, and one step impulse signal (one impulsion equals one step, or less with the microstepping feature)
Drawback (or not): SMD circuit, if it's a problem, look at pololu stepsticks ;-)
Hope this helps.