A Guide to Machine Embroidery Designs

There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching your embroidery machine bring a design to life—thread by thread, stitch by stitch. With so many designs out there, where do you even begin? 

Here, we’re diving into two of our favorite design collections—Kimberbell and OESD (Oklahoma Embroidery Supply and Design)—to help you find inspiration no matter your style or skill level.

Why Embroidery Designs Matter

Let’s face it: blank fabric can feel… well, blank. Adding a thoughtfully chosen design transforms your project into something special. 

From playful appliqués to sophisticated freestanding lace, embroidery designs come in all shapes and sizes. And whether you’re crafting on a compact 4x4” hoop or using an embroidery machine with larger hoops up to 9x14”, there's a design out there ready to stitch.

Meet Kimberbell: Where Whimsy Meets Craft

If you love seasonal projects, cute characters, and clever interactive elements, Kimberbell is your new best friend. Their embroidery designs are known for their joyful energy and thoughtful touches—like zippered pockets, pull-tabs, dimensional applique, and even built-in quilting.

Some of our customer favorites include:

🧵 Red, White & Bloom Quilt – Bursting with patriotic charm
🧵 Spring Showers – A fresh take on springtime stitching with bonus projects
🧵 Bench Pillow Series – Seasonal home décor with adorable flair
🧵 Pet Kerchiefs & Holiday Ornaments – Quick gifts with personality

Each Kimberbell design comes with detailed instructions, making them perfect for beginners and pros alike. They also offer embellishment kits that match each project to a tee—so you’re never scrambling for supplies.

Introducing OESD: Embroidery with Sophistication & Style

Where Kimberbell is playful, OESD is polished. Think elegant florals, detailed landscapes, freestanding lace, and intricate monograms. If you're looking to elevate your embroidery with designs that offer texture, dimension, and detail—OESD has it all.

We love their:

🧵 Freestanding Lace Collections – Create ornaments, luminaries, and even gingerbread houses
🧵 Tiling Scenes – Large-scale art pieces made stitch-by-stitch
🧵 Signature Artists Series – Collaborations with renowned artists and designers
🧵 Holiday & Home Décor Designs – From Thanksgiving turkeys to snowy Christmas villages

OESD also offers an expansive design library, so you’ll never run out of inspiration.

Kimberbell vs. OESD: Which One’s Right for You?

Honestly? Both. 

These collections complement each other beautifully. If you're working on fun family gifts, seasonal pillows, or whimsical décor, Kimberbell is your go-to. If you're aiming for sophistication, heirloom pieces, or designs with fine detail, OESD will wow you every time.

The best part? 

They both support a wide range of file types like .PES, .JEF, .DST, .EXP, .VP3, and more—so no matter your machine brand (Brother, BERNINA, Janome, etc.), you're good to go.

Quick Tips for Embroidery Success

Before you dive into your next project, here are a few friendly reminders:

• Always choose the right stabilizer—Kimberbell often uses cutaway or washaway; OESD offers a full stabilizer guide for different techniques

• Test your design on scrap fabric to check tension and thread color

• Use embroidery-specific needles and quality thread for best results

• Organize your USB or design library by theme or hoop size

At Topstitch, we’re proud to carry a growing collection of both Kimberbell and OESD designs—available as downloadable files, USBs, or CD bundles. 

Explore our favorites here:
Shop Kimberbell Designs
Shop OESD Designs