Welcome to All About Machine Embroidery. You can catch up here.
Today’s topic: Embroidery Designs: What and Where
If you already own an embroidery machine, then you know that there are designs and lettering built into your machine. Below are some examples from the Babylock Ellure.
It will show the time it takes to stitch out, what color threads it recommends and the size of the design (in cm).
Every machine has built-in designs and lettering. You can see what is available by looking online at the manual for a particular machine.
Personally, I don’t think built-in designs are a deal-maker or a deal-breaker because there are enough designs out there to keep you embroidering for a lifetime.
Here are some great places to look for designs:
1. Etsy
When I need a single design for a project such as a lettering set, dinosaur, or a cupcake, I check Etsy.
If you are doing something seasonal or specific (like a college team), this is a great place to check.
You will need to specify your machine’s format, and the seller will send it to your email in a zip file.
Remember, you will need a way to save and open the design on your computer (software) and then transfer it to your embroidery machine.
2. SWAK
Another great place to get lettering alphabets and a variety of designs is Swak Embroidery. Most of the designs you see here are cute or whimsical. Below is a Font snip.
It is also where I found this great owl applique for an owl-themed baby gift. I used a lettering font from my software.
I also took the design and created my own applique. Lots of options.
3. Embroidery Online
If you want to crank it up a few notches, then purchased design sets are the way to go. These design sets come on a CD and are usually purchased through a dealer for $40-$100.
Before you choke on that price, I want to say that I own a few of these design sets and the digitizing is perfect.
If you want to create something that is exquisite or heirloom quality, then spending the money on these designs could be worth it.
4. Hatched in Africa

5. Anita Goodesign

6. Jenny Haskins

I love this series. I have been pinning just about very day.
I just got my machine yesterday~ This has been VERY helpful getting me started! Thank you!!
Awesome! Happy Embroidery!
One more site to add to your list – Urban Threads. I love their designs and the prices are reasonable. Each month they offer a great freebie too!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, but I still am unclear on how to determine good digitized designs. Are they labeled ‘digitized’? Can you please clarify for me?
Great information. The only thing I would add is that folks need to look for the copyright information if they intend to sell their embroidered items. Some designers don’t want their designs altered but you can use the design on products that are being sold. Others apply limitations to the use of their designs on items being sold with statements like this: “Items with this design sewn onto the product may be sold commercially with limitation. You must have written consent to mass market items using this design.” I have seen some designers who do not permit their designs to be used on anything that is to be sold. There goes your church fair and craft show. Just something to watch out for.
I find most of my designs on Embroidery Library. They are very reasonable and always have sales and you can go back to their website if you forget where you downloaded a design on your USB stick.
I love them, too.
How did you outline the 2nd owl? I’d like to do that on a design but am not sure how.
I used free motion stitching with black thread. Nothing to it!