I don't use a 'design' as you may mean.... like a flower or scroll work. Mine below. I designed the coyote and added the words then did the outside border. Sometimes I add a flannel back after the letters and coyote and stitch it down with the border, that's to cover the stitching. It is all one 'design' in my machine. What you don't want to do is take it out of the hoop before it is complete. You are never able to put it back in the hoop in exactly the same spot.... :) sorry the pic is so big....