The big warehouse clear-out
Huge Savings on Books. Binders and More! Get them before they are gone! Discount Card holders save even more
Type: Signature Series
Signature Series V: Thread Découpage
Type: Signature Series
Signature Series Volume III: Flower Garden
Type: Signature Series
Signature Series Volume II: Butterflies
Type: Signature Series
Signature Series IV: Fantasy Tree
Type: Education
Anita's University 301: Next Level Embroidery
Type: 123 Collection
Zipper Bags 1, 2, 3
Type: Education
Anita's University 102: Embroidery Made Easy II
Type: Education
The Greatest Hits Christmas Edition
Visit Wild Thread Studio
"Visit our sister site, Wild Threads, to see our finished embroidered charms in action. These are the exact designs you can create yourself! I’m sharing this to show you the high-end, professional results possible with your embroidery machine. Most of the charms featured there are available as designs on our Charmed page—if you don’t see one yet, it’s likely a future release."
FLAMINGO FLOAT CHARM
A Special Gift for You:
To celebrate the upcoming launch, we are giving away The Flamingo Double Sided Charm to all of our Discount Card Holders and Charmed Purchasers! Keep an eye on your inbox—the full collection will be ready for download next week.
*This free design is for discount card holders and Charmed purchasers only
Use code CHARMED at checkout for your free download.
Animal Adventure Charms
About a decade ago, one of Anita's most beloved collections was born: Animal Adventure. This delightful cast of cuddly characters made their debut on quilts, framed pieces, and classic embroideries. As the years went on, the collection evolved. These sweet animals began making appearances on everything from quilt blocks to bookmarks, and we even added a few new friends to the mix. Just last year, they were beautifully reimagined into an Artful Embroidery Collection.
Introducing: Double-Sided Charms
Ever since we started designing charms, I knew these fan-favorite characters needed to be transformed into double-sided accessories—and now, they finally are!
The Mah Jong collection is Here!
Mahjong made your way
This has been my most requested theme—and I’m so excited it’s finally here. Let’s release our inner dragons. 🐉
This collection includes:
- An appliqué dragon
- Mahjong tiles (of course)
- A medallion
- Thought bubbles that are all about Mahjong
The color palette is bold and joyful—vibrant pinks, lime greens, orange, turquoise, all accented with gold. ✨
This will be a Make It Your Way collection, with designs released in Stitched, Appliqué, and Charm versions.
Quilt Charms Collection
Quilt Charms Collection
You asked, we stitched! By popular demand, we are thrilled to introduce the Quilted Charms Collection.
Designed specifically for the quilting community, this collection brings the timeless beauty of traditional piecing into the hoop in the form of adorable, two-sided charms. Whether you are making zipper pulls for project bags, scissor fobs for your sewing circle, or keychains for a quilt swap, these are the perfect way to wear your passion on your sleeve (or bag!).
Endless Design Possibilities The magic of this collection lies in its versatility. You have total creative control to mix and match:
- The Front: Choose from 10 distinct traditional geometric quilt block designs, capturing the heritage of quilting in miniature form.
• • The Back: Select from 10 fun, witty quilting sayings that every stitcher will relate to.
Made your way
Made Your Way is a new approach to embroidery design—one design, released with versatility in mind.
Instead of limiting a design to a single use, this series explores how one piece of artwork can live across multiple formats, each created for a different kind of making. Quilt blocks, garments, patches, or charms—you choose how it’s used.
This release includes the same design offered in thoughtfully developed variations, such as:
- Standard embroidery designs in multiple sizes
- Appliqué versions for quilts and garments
- A two-sided charm design
Each version is intentionally created, not adapted after the fact—so the design works with your process, not against it.
News and Notes
An example of an email I received.
I thought this was an interesting email fro a customer, i respond personally to them a good part of the time and I decided that going forward I will share some of them with y'all. I started getting these emails from a lot of customers once we stopped giving weekly free designs to everyone. We still offer weekly freebies to discount card holders, and free designs for everyone occasionally. So, here is the letter From a customer, she shall remain anonymous I received this email stating that I am missed at Anita Goodesign and I wanted to respond to let you know that the following is the reason I have not shopped at Anita Goodesign lately. It appears that ONLY if a person is a Discount Card member, I am valued but NOT if I am just a person who shops for lovely designs without a membership. I do understand that you would value those who choose to be members but, with the changes made, others don't have ANY incentive to shop at Anita Goodesign. I'm not sure if you realize that, by NOT having incentives for regular customers and with so many other digitizers offering sales, freebies, etc, non-members will most likely shop elsewhere for designs. The chart below is shown as an incentive to buy the membership but acts as a dis-incentive to anyone else who does not buy membership to shop with so many zeros for anyone besides members. Perhaps that is Anita Goodesign's aim to have ONLY members shopping with them in the future and, if that is the case, then I wouldn't be surprised if regular, non-member customers shop less often at Anita Goodesign. My response Subject: Honest insight into our pricing & membership model Thank you for your note. I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective, and I want to offer an honest, transparent response regarding how we operate. We take great pride in the fact that, despite rising costs everywhere else, our design prices are the same or lower than they were 20 years ago. We have even brought back printed books without raising prices. However, to sustain this level of quality and service, we have to make decisions based on data. When we analyzed our website traffic, we found that 99% of the people downloading our free designs had never made a single purchase. Realistically, we are a small business with real costs—bandwidth, storage, and staff time—and we simply cannot sustain a model that caters to "design collectors" looking to build their libraries for free. We have to focus our resources and rewards on the customers who actually support our art and keep us in business. That is exactly why we created the Membership. It allows us to give incredible value (over $2,000 in freebies last year alone) specifically to the people who shop with us. And since the $99 fee is returned to you as a $99 gift card, it is essentially free for anyone who is a genuine customer. I understand that embroidery can be an expensive hobby, but we prioritize the community that supports our work. Sincerely, Stephen Wilson
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Creating Double Sided Embroidered Charms
Learn how to make double-sided charms with this simplified guide. We cover the essential steps and techniques found in the CHARMED book to help you create professional-looking embroidered accessories.
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Machine Embroidery Tools
a comprehensive guide machine embroidery tools Machine embroidery is a rewarding and intricate craft requiring specific tools to ensure success. Each tool serves a unique purpose, contributing to the precision and beauty of the final product. I have compiled an extensive list of essential tools for machine embroidery, along with their detailed descriptions, variations, and applications. This section will include: Embroidery Machine Stabilizers Embroidery Thread Needles Hoops Scissors Thread Stand Embroidery Software Bobbins Pre-Wash Spray Washing Machine Lint Brush Iron & Ironing Board Emb. Design Catalog Measuring Tools Cutting Mat Rotary Cutter Pinking Shears Emb. Hooping System Magnetic Hoops Seam Ripper Lint Roller Organizational Tools Ruler with Cutting Edge EMBROIDERY MACHINES DESCRIPTION The centerpiece of any embroidery setup, a machine embroidery is often computer operated and can feature built-in designs, fonts, and the ability to import custom patterns through USB or Wi-Fi connectivity. VARIATIONS Machines range from basic single-needle models suitable for beginners to multi-needle commercial machines designed for high production. Specialty machines with embroidery capabilities may also include sewing functions. USES Allows for intricate stitching, designs, and patterns on fabric, making it essential for quilting, garment customization, and decorative textiles. STABILIZERS DESCRIPTION Stabilizers are materials used to support the fabric during the embroidery process, preventing distortion, puckering, or shifting. TYPES Tear-Away Stabilizers: >> Easily torn away after stitching, ideal for stable fabrics. Cut-Away Stabilizers: >> Remain with the fabric to provide ongoing support, perfect for stretchy or delicate materials. Wash-Away Stabilizers: >> Dissolve in water, leaving no residue, suitable for lace or sheer fabrics. Fusible Stabilizers: >> Ironed onto the fabric to add support while adhering it in place. USES Each type is chosen based on fabric properties and project requirements to achieve clean, professional results. THREAD STAND DESCRIPTION A device that organizes and stabilizes multiple spools of thread, often with adjustable height for optimal feeding. VARIATIONS Single Thread Stand: >> Holds one spool at a time. Multi-Spool Stand: >> Can accommodate several spools simultaneously. USES A thread stand keeps your thread organized and untangled, allowing for easy access during stitching. It prevents thread breakage and ensures smooth feeding of thread through the machine. EMBROIDERY SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION Computer programs designed for creating, editing, and digitizing embroidery designs. VARIATIONS Digitizing Software: >> Converts artwork into stitch files for embroidery machines. Editing Software: >> Allows users to modify existing designs, changing colors, sizes, or stitch types. Management Software: >> Helps organize and catalog designs for easy access. USES Provides the ability to personalize projects by creating custom designs or modifying existing designs to fit your specific needs. BOBBINS DESCRIPTION Small spools that hold the thread used for the lower stitching in embroidery. VARIATIONS Class 15 Bobbins: >> Commonly used in many home sewing machines. Metal vs. Plastic Bobbins: >> Metal bobbins tend to be sturdier, while plastic bobbins are lighter and easier to see when winding. USES Ensures a clean and secure stitch on the underside of the embroidery, helping to maintain the balance of the fabric and preventing puckering. PRE-WASH SPRAY DESCRIPTION A temporary adhesive spray used to hold fabric layers in place during embroidery. VARIATIONS Different brands and formulas that vary in stickiness and ease of removal. USES Prevents fabric layers from shifting while embroidering intricate designs, ensuring accuracy and reducing the risk of misalignment. WASHING MACHINE DESCRIPTION Used to clean finished embroidery projects and remove any stabilizer residue. USES Rinses away water-soluble stabilizers and ensures that items look professional and clean after production. LINT BRUSH DESCRIPTION A small brush designed specifically to remove lint and dust from the embroidery machine. USES Regular cleaning with a lint brush helps maintain machine performance, preventing thread breaks and skipped stitches caused by accumulated debris. IRON & IRONING BOARD DESCRIPTION Essential for preparing and finishing fabric, ensuring it is smooth and wrinkle-free. USES Allows for pressing fabric before hooping to remove creases, and can be used after stitching to flatten seams and improve the overall appearance of the project. PINKING SHEARS DESCRIPTION Scissors with a zigzag blade designed to create a decorative edge and prevent fabric fraying. USES Ideal for finishing raw edges of fabric before embroidery, giving a professional look while minimizing future fraying. CUTTING MAT DESCRIPTION A self-healing mat that protects your cutting surfaces and provides a grid for easy measuring. USES Essential for rotary cutting or cutting multiple layers of fabric cleanly and accurately, while protecting your work surface underneath. ROTARY CUTTER DESCRIPTION A tool similar to a pizza cutter, designed for cutting fabric with precision. USES Great for cutting multiple layers of fabric or for making detailed shapes, providing clean, straight cuts which are essential for quilting and embroidery prep. EMBROIDERY DESIGN CATALOG DESCRIPTION A collection or database of embroidery designs and patterns. VARIATIONS Can be kept in physical form (binders with printed designs) or digital form (software or cloud storage). USES Helps keep designs organized and allows for easy retrieval when starting new projects; saves time when searching for specific designs. MEASURING TOOLS DESCRIPTION Rulers or measuring tapes used for precise fabric cutting and stitching placement. VARIATIONS Fabric Ruler: >> Often clear, allowing you to see through for better accuracy. Measuring Tape: >> Flexible measuring tool for curvy patterns. USES Ensures accurate cutting and placement, critical for aligning designs properly on fabric. EMBROIDERY HOOPING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION A specialized tool designed to assist in accurately hooping fabric and stabilizer, ensuring perfect alignment every time. VARIATIONS Includes vertical and horizontal hooping systems that might offer adjustable frames for increased flexibility with larger designs. USES Facilitates precise and consistent hooping, reducing the risk of misalignment and increasing efficiency when preparing multiple projects. MAGNETIC HOOP DESCRIPTION An alternative to traditional hoops, magnetic hoops use magnets to hold the fabric in place. VARIATIONS Available in various sizes and designs, some magnetic hoops come with markings for accurate placement. USES Allows for quick and easy fabric changes, making it efficient for multiple designs without having to re-hoop frequently. Ideal for continuous stitching projects. ORGANIZATIONAL TOOLS (BINS/BINDERS) DESCRIPTION Storage solutions for keeping your embroidery supplies and designs organized. USES Helps manage fabric scraps, thread spools, needles, and design files, ensuring that everything is easy to find when you need it. SEAM RIPPER DESCRIPTION A small tool with a sharp point designed for effortlessly removing stitches. USES Essential for correcting mistakes, unpicking seams, or removing unwanted stitches, allowing for quick adjustments without damaging the fabric. LINT ROLLER DESCRIPTION A sticky roller used to remove lint, dust, and fabric debris from your work area and equipment. USES Keeps your embroidery area clean and ensures no debris interferes with your stitching quality, particularly important for projects involving delicate fabrics. RULER WITH CUTTING EDGE DESCRIPTION Transparent or marked rulers that typically include a cutting guide for accuracy. USES Essential for marking accurate measurements on the fabric and ensuring precise cutting for multiple layers. Summary Having the right tools for machine embroidery can transform your creative process, making it efficient and enjoyable. Each tool plays a valuable role, whether it’s supporting the fabric, ensuring precision, or helping to organize your workspace. From the essential embroidery machine and stabilizers to the specialized needles and threads, understanding the purpose and variations of each tool is critical for achieving professional-quality results in your embroidery projects. By equipping yourself with a well-rounded toolkit and mastering the use of these tools, you will enhance your embroidery experience, boost your creativity, and ensure that your projects are not only beautiful but also structurally sound. Happy embroidering!
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