Embroidery suggestions
 

I’m going to make a quilt for my g'granddaughter who is due in March. I would like to have a few blocks with embroidered farm animals. I’ve never used embroidery in a quilt. I’m going to use flannel for the backing. It will be machine quilted. Suggestions of any kind are appreciated.

The question that needs to be answered in order to help you ....
Machine embroidery? or Hand embroidery?

If you are hand embrodering, check out coloring books and children's books. They are quite easy to translate into simple outline stitch embroidery.

For hand embroidery, check out iron-on transfers by Aunt Martha (in book form or package form).
Good luck with your quilt!

Hand embroidery.

One other thing. Should I have some sort of backing with the fabric that I am going to embroider.

A lot of different opinions on that.
I take my cue based on the weight of the fabric I am using.
If it is lighter, and could let darker threads show through, then yes, I use something behind.
If heavier, personally I don't bother, but I know a lot will disagree with what I do!
IOW ... you need to do what works for you!

As for patterns ...
Already mentioned are colouring books.
Let Mr. Google help, as I often find more than I need when I ask him!
Check out template and applique outlines as possibilities.
DMC has a lot of free patterns. https://www.dmc.com/us/

I put Pellon 911FF White Fusible Featherweight on the back of my fabric before embroidering. I usually use Moda snow as the background and wash it first before applying the fusible. It helps to keep traveling threads on the back from showing thru. I would suggest doing a sample first to see if you like it. Sometimes, it can pucker a little.

Thank you so much. I’ll try this.

I've googled stained glass to find patterns that are usually easy to translate to quilts patterns. As others have mentioned, coloring books are great.