Anchor Aromatic Plants - Tablecloth - 0060044-00901_08 - Downloadable PDF

Anchor Aromatic Plants Tablecloth Embroidery Pattern – Free Downloadable PDF

This Anchor Aromatic Plants Tablecloth is a beautifully detailed embroidery design created by Anchor Studio and published by MEZ GmbH. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern is ideal for embroiderers who enjoy creating heirloom-quality home textiles. The finished tablecloth measures 90 x 90 cm, with a circular embroidered motif 61 cm in diameter at its centre, making it a striking centrepiece for any dining table or decorative display.

What Is Being Made

The project is a square tablecloth featuring an aromatic plants-themed embroidered design. The circular arrangement of botanical motifs gives the finished piece an elegant, classic aesthetic. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to embroiderers who are comfortable with a range of hand embroidery stitches and are ready to take on a larger, more involved project.

Techniques Used

This pattern draws on several traditional hand embroidery techniques that combine to create texture, definition, and decorative edging:

• Cross Stitch: Worked over 2 fabric threads each way, cross stitch forms the foundation of the botanical motifs. Each cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the centre, creating a characteristic X shape. Working over 2 threads ensures even, consistent coverage on an evenweave or Aida-type fabric.
• Backstitch: Used to add fine outlines and detail to the design. Backstitch is worked from right to left — the needle is brought up through the fabric, a single stitch is made to the right, and the needle is brought out a double stitch length to the left before stitching back to the right. This creates a continuous, unbroken line ideal for stems, outlines, and lettering. All stitches should be kept the same length for a neat finish.
• Straight Stitch: A simple, versatile stitch used to add individual linear details such as leaf veins, fine accents, or small decorative elements within the botanical motifs.
• Simple Hemstitch: Applied to finish the edges of the tablecloth, hemstitch is a classic drawn-thread embroidery technique that creates a decorative yet secure hem. It involves withdrawing threads from the fabric and grouping the remaining threads together with stitches, producing an elegant open-work border entirely in keeping with the traditional style of the piece.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – worked over 2 fabric threads each way
• Backstitch – for outlines and fine detail
• Straight stitch – for individual linear accents
• Simple hemstitch – for the decorative hem border

Materials – Thread and Needles

The pattern uses two types of Anchor thread, reflecting the different techniques employed throughout the design:

• Anchor Stranded Cotton (8m skeins) – the primary embroidery thread, worked with 2 strands throughout. The following colours are required:
  • 1 skein each of shades #1, 23, 26, 129, 148, 162, 176, 258, 271, and 352
  • 2 skeins each of shades #226, 241, 246, 875, 876, and 1076
• Anchor Coton à Broder 16 – a twisted, non-divisible cotton thread with a subtle sheen, used here in shade #875. This thread is particularly well suited to hemstitch and other drawn-thread work, providing a smooth, firm finish along the tablecloth border.

A tapestry needle size 24 is specified for this project. Tapestry needles have a blunt tip and a large eye, making them ideal for counted embroidery on evenweave fabrics as they pass between fabric threads without splitting them.

Pattern Details and Format

The Anchor Aromatic Plants Tablecl