DMC Thistles - PAT1355S - Downloadable PDF

DMC Thistles Embroidery Pattern (PAT1355S) – Free Downloadable PDF

The DMC Thistles pattern (PAT1355S) is a free, downloadable PDF embroidery design from the DMC Library, part of the celebrated #dmc1000patterns collection. This advanced-level hand embroidery project depicts beautifully detailed thistle flowers — known in French as chardons — worked at a finished design size of 15 cm x 15 cm. The pattern is bilingual, presented in both English and French, and includes a full colour guide, a technical stitch diagram, and step-by-step instructions to guide experienced embroiderers through the project.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a richly textured thistle botanical embroidery, capturing the spiky, sculptural quality of thistle blooms and stems. The combination of three distinct embroidery stitches gives the finished piece a striking mix of dimensional texture and smooth, painterly colour — making it an impressive decorative embroidery suitable for framing, display, or incorporation into textile projects. The design is rated advanced in difficulty, making it best suited to embroiderers who are already comfortable with a range of hand stitching techniques.

Techniques and Stitches Used

Three core embroidery stitches are used throughout this pattern, each assigned a specific letter code in the technical diagram:

• Turkey Rug Stitch (Point de Tapisserie Turque) – Code A: This looped, cut-pile stitch creates the fluffy, bristling texture characteristic of thistle flower heads. Turkey Rug Stitch is worked in rows and, when the loops are cut and fluffed, produces a raised, velvety surface that adds dramatic three-dimensional texture to the design. It is one of the more advanced techniques in hand embroidery and is a key feature of this pattern.
• Satin Stitch (Passé Plat) – Code B: Smooth, closely packed parallel stitches are used to fill areas of the design with solid, lustrous colour. Satin stitch requires careful tension and consistent stitch direction to achieve a neat, polished finish, and is used here to render the leaves and other flat elements of the thistle with clean, even coverage.
• Stem Stitch (Point de Tige) – Code C: A classic outline and line stitch, stem stitch is used to define the stalks and linear details of the thistle design. Worked in a slightly overlapping forward motion, it produces a smooth, rope-like line that is ideal for curved stems and botanical outlines.

Materials Required

The pattern specifies the following materials for completing the design at the recommended 15 cm x 15 cm size:

• Thread: DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 embroidery floss, used with 4 strands throughout. Five colours are required, each needing one skein:
• DMC 775 (1 skein)
• DMC 947 (1 skein)
• DMC 608 (1 skein)
• DMC 895 (1 skein)
• DMC 3817 (1 skein)
• Needle: A No. 12 needle is recommended for working with the specified thread count and fabric.
• Fabric: The pattern calls for an embroidery fabric or toile, with the design transferred using either a Magic Sheet or a transfer pen to accurately place the thistle motif before stitching begins.

Pattern Format and Accessibility

The DMC Thistles PAT1355S pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible with no purchase required. The PDF includes a full-colour reference diagram, a coded technical chart for stitch placement, and detailed written instructions in both English and French. It is part of the broader DMC Library – Bibliothèque DMC collection, which offers a wide range of free embroidery patterns and tutorials. Embroiderers are encouraged to share their finished work using the hashtags #dmcth