As a new machine embroiderer, I see many design websites that offer monthly memberships. Is it really necessary to pay for designs, or can I just search online for freebies?

There are a ton of freebies on the net. Do a search on this site for ME embroidery you will find a zillion.

All designs and digitizing are NOT created equal. I'm not saying memberships are necessarily needed, but many designs out there on net as freebies are done by non-professionals. Some will be fine and some stitch out very poorly with a million jump stitches etc. Any freebie design should be done as a sample before being put on the actual item. Some are to get you to purchase the designer's CD of designs. It all depends really...

My favorite place to shop on-line is Embroidery Library www.emblibrary.com. Great stitch outs and some $1.00 & free monthly designs. :-)

Look at these,www.LoralieDesigns.com

Yes great designs.

That is my favorite also.

I downloaded a free program so that I can check out these free designs before stitching them out.

I open them in this program, click on the stitch out button, and can literally watch it being stitched out.
If it doesn't look good while stitching out in this program, I don't bother with the design. If it looks okay, I will stitch out a sample for further scrutiny.

I agree with Candace, many free designs are wonderfully digitized, but some are not.

Here is the program I use, click on the Ambassador Set Up icon and follow the directions :D:D:D

http://www.pulsemicro.com/ambassadordownload

It is also useful to watch these being stitched out, you can see the exact spot colors change. I find it very helpful when picking out my colors :D

Thanks, Amma for the website. I downloaded the program and now can identify all the designs in my downloaded folder. Which button is the stitch out button?

Nevermind, Amma. I found the button. This program is so cool!