Whether you're trying out your new embroidery machine or are making a special project by hand, the Internet is a great resource for free embroidery patterns. The key is finding a pattern that's perfect for your skill level and meets the requirments for your project. Luckily, there are a number of sites that offer these free patterns, and you'll have no trouble finding the right design for you.
Free Machine Embroidery Patterns Online
Several websites specialize in free patterns in various formats. If you have an embroidery machine or a sewing machine with embroidery capability, consult your owner's manual to determine the best format. Software programs like BuzzXplore allow you to convert various embroidery file formats so that the patterns will work on your machine. Common formats include PEC, PEM, PES, SEW, EXP, DST, HUS, and many others.
Whenever you download free patterns be sure to read the fine print. Some sites have hidden charges, such as designs that are only free if you purchase something, while others have copyright restrictions that can limit use.
Free Embroidery Stuff
Get a year's worth of free embroidery patterns! According to Free Embroidery Stuff's policy, you can download up to three free designs each week with registration, and up to nine others if you purchase designs. They also offer an e-mail based subscription with even more free designs. Each pattern is available in several different formats.
Erica's Craft & Sewing Center
Erica's offers many different styles of free embroidery patterns. Her site is updated regularly and includes some free birdhouse designs, as well as Americana, angels, and spring patterns. The designs come in several different file formats. There is also a complete section dedicated to free stitching projects.
ABC Embroidery Designs
ABC Embroidery Designs' free patterns include holiday themes, flowers and butterflies. This is one of the easier sites to use, since finding the free patterns doesn't require a lot of searching. To sign up all you need to do is enter your first name and a valid email address, and you'll get access to the entire collection. These are also updated on a timely basis and come in several formats.
Free Hand Embroidery Patterns Online
The Internet is also a great resource for hand embroidery. If you're going to be doing embroidery by hand, look for designs that match your skill level. Typically, beginner-level designs will be fairly simple and will not include a lot of complicated stitches. You'll notice that many hand embroidery patterns are labeled with the experience level.
Pattern Bee
For those who hand-embroider and are looking for some vintage patterns, this is a great site to visit. Pattern Bee offers numerous patterns that you can make into printable iron-ons and transfer to your fabric. There are patterns for all experience levels. Included are old-time nursery rhyme blocks, quilt blocks and other items for children. The site also includes free sewing patterns for some of these items.
Needle 'N Thread
Needle 'N Thread offers a great selection of free patterns for beginners and experts alike. You'll find many beautiful motifs, including flowers, leaves, borders, butterflies, and birds and several different fonts for creating monograms. Each pattern includes detailed instructions for printing the design and changing its size.
SLO Dive
Although the selection is limited to only 25 designs, SLO Dive has some beautiful and simple projects for beginners. These designs have a vintage country feel, and they frequently feature animals and people.
Free Patterns From Manufacturers
The manufacturer of your embroidery machine may offer free downloadable designs made specifically for your model. Here are just a few.
Singer Sewing Co.
Singer has free embroidery patterns available on a monthly basis. The company also includes a complementary project to go along with each design. Singer patterns are available in PWS and XXX formats.
Husqvarna Viking
Zip files for these free Viking designs contain VP3, VIP, HUS or DST formats. There are about 20 basic patterns available.
Brother USA
Brother has a small selection of free designs available each month and they are archived for future reference. The patterns, available in PES format, are sorted by theme and include several designs that have been featured in Creative Machine Embroidery magazine.
Storing Your Free Embroidery Patterns
It is wise to organize these files as hard and soft copies. Once you are done editing your choice, print a copy and either put it in a three-ring binder or file folder with all the pertinent information listed on it, including the website from which it was downloaded. On your computer, create file folders sorted by either format or type of design and make frequent backup copies. This way, when you want to access a pattern, it will be right at your fingertips.
