Judie, if you heard a "clank", it probably means that the needle hit something it didn't like, maybe it was pulled by the fabric or stabilizer. Since you purchased the design from Anita GoodDesigns, the digitizing should be ok. I don't think the color sort has much to do with the outline being off "unless" the digitizer "intended" for the colors to be stitched in order and the underlay, etc. needs to stitch out in order (if you understand what I mean). Also, there can be outline issues with the stabilizer used. If the fabric pulls or shifts at all, it will create a problem. Was your fabric hooped too tight? It appears to be a woven fabric (?) and the weave/threadcount will make a difference. And sometimes, even tho the designer is a good one, a design will just be "off". I just stitched out a design using my Disney designs and it was off...and I stitched it with the correct stabilizer and the fabric was a light canvas. I do "test stitch" most of my designs unless they are very stitch intensive.
If you go to
www.emblibrary.com, there are free tutorials on how to fix this type of problem and many other stabilizer/fabric/thread/needle recommendations. A lot of embroidery is "learn as you go". If you need any further info or have any more specifc questions, you can PM me. Carolyn