the only way I know around it would be to buy a machine with a bigger size hoop, I have never tried splitting a design but I understand it can be difficult. Welcome to Cute and the embroidery world
Bev in Texas

Ok, so If I do end up needing the software, does anyone have the pros & cons of BuzzEdit vs Embird?

Welcome to Cute.
My first machine also was one with only a 4" x 4" and a Brother and it did not take me very long to realize that I wanted a larger embroidery area. I even bought a larger frame from brother only to find out that it only was beneficiary for not having to re-hoop. The computer still would not recognize anything larger than the 4x4. I have never tried splitting a design. Maybe some else will came and help you out. In the meantime try Google and search for "splitting embroidery designs".
Angie

welcome! i also have your machine. i also want a bigger hoop machine. but i am taking this year to learn all about embroidery.i can make bigger designs by rehooping.tedious ,i know ,but when i can do someones name all in 4 in letters across their shirt it is pretty cool. sincerely, lynne

Oh, my, I hate to discourage you, but if you're new to machine embroidery, starting by buying software to split designs because you need a larger sewing field already is going to be hard. You're saying the equivalent of "Hey, I just got a new pair of hiking boots, let's go climb Everest!" I think you have a couple of choices. If you "just" got the machine, can you take it back and get what you really need, like one with a t least a 5x7 sewing field? Did you get it from a dealer, or on line? A dealer would have (or should have) asked enough questions about what you wanted to do that you shouldn't have gotten a 4x4. The other choice would be to live with what you have, use designs that fit your hoop, and really learn to use the machine and see how much you're going to like doing it, and how much you actually will do sewing with it, not just looking at and collecting designs like some of us do, hee hee hee. Software is expensive, even Embird, which is probably the least espensive. And there's a really big learning curve for most people with any software, unless you have a teacher. The software allows you to manipulate a design, it doesn't do it for you. Some designs can be split fairly easily, some just can't. And even if you successfully split the design, don't forget you're going to have to move the hoop, and that you'll have to line it back up really really exactly to complete the design without it being all goofy looking. How much patience and money do you have? This could get pricey, and you'll still only have a 4x4. I'd really consider returning it, and doing some research with a real embroidery machine dealer about what you really want and need. It might be better to spend more money getting what you need rather than keep throwing more money & software & fixes at something you're trying to make into something that still won't be what you intended. Sorry, I hope somebody has some better idea for you to make this work, and I'm just being a bummer. Best of luck to you, Marji