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!

There is so much free stuff out there that unless you are looking for something specific, I think the memberships are a waste of money. I did one that was for 3 months, and downloaded exactly 1 set, which was I wanted to begin with, didn't see anything else I even wanted. Two very good ones are Emboidery Library and Embroidery designs. :-D

I love Embroidery Library. I will check out Embroidery Designs. thanks :)

Unless it was something I really wanted I don't see a need to pay a monthly fee for designs plus then paying for the design. Emb Library is fabulous and there are many sites with tons of freebies....but you do need to check them out as others have said many are not digitized properly and have numerous jump stitches. The program Amma suggested is really great and I also recommend it.