DMC Under the Sea - PAT17182 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Under the Sea Embroidery Pattern (PAT17182) – Free Downloadable PDF

The DMC Under the Sea pattern (PAT17182) is a free downloadable embroidery design from the DMC Library, perfect for beginners who want to explore colourful, illustrated needlework. The finished piece depicts an underwater ocean scene, bringing together a rich palette of blues, greens, oranges, and corals to capture the vibrant life found beneath the waves. This pattern is published by DMC, one of the world's most trusted names in embroidery thread and needlework supplies.

What Is Being Made

Stitchers will create a detailed under the sea embroidery design — an ocean-themed decorative piece suitable for framing, hoop art, or incorporation into textile projects. The design uses a colour-coded diagram alongside a technical chart to guide the embroiderer through placing each element of the composition accurately. With its charming aquatic subject matter, the finished work makes an appealing piece of wall art or a thoughtful handmade gift.

Techniques Used

• Backstitch (Point arrière) – The primary technique specified in this pattern. Backstitch is a foundational embroidery stitch that creates a continuous, solid line, making it ideal for outlining shapes, adding fine detail, and building up areas of solid colour within a design.
• Colour chart working – The pattern includes both a full colour guide/diagramme en couleur and a technical chart/diagramme, teaching embroiderers how to read and follow a coded diagram — an essential skill for progressing in embroidery.
• Transfer technique – The instructions reference the use of a magic sheet or transfer pen (feuille magique ou stylo transfert) to apply the design to fabric, a beginner-friendly approach that removes the need for freehand drawing.

Stitches Used

• Backstitch – Explicitly listed in the instructions as the stitch used throughout the design. Backstitch is worked by bringing the needle up ahead of the previous stitch and inserting it back into the end of the last stitch, producing a neat, unbroken line of thread on the fabric surface.

Materials Required

• Thread: DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 embroidery floss is specified. The pattern calls for 21 colours, each requiring one skein. The full colour list includes DMC thread codes: 712, 727, 444, 3821, 19, 741, 740, 947, 946, 900, 402, 760, 761, 932, 3750, 825, 996, 524, 522, 3362, and 310. This broad spectrum spans warm yellows and oranges, deep navy and teal blues, soft sage and olive greens, and coral pinks — all contributing to the lively underwater colour palette.
• Needle: A No. 12 needle is recommended, which is a fine embroidery needle suited to working with stranded cotton floss on fabric.
• Fabric: The pattern calls for fabric/toile — a suitable embroidery ground fabric such as evenweave or plain-weave cotton, onto which the design is transferred before stitching begins.
• Transfer tools: A magic sheet or transfer pen is listed to help apply the printed design directly onto the fabric with ease, making this especially accessible for beginners.

Skill Level and Accessibility

This pattern is rated as beginner level, making it an excellent starting point for those new to embroidery. The reliance on a single stitch — backstitch — keeps the technique simple, while the wide colour range and detailed colour diagram provide an engaging and rewarding stitching experience. Because it is a free downloadable PDF, it is immediately accessible after download, with no waiting time for physical delivery.

About the DMC Library

The DMC Library (Bibliothèque DMC) is DMC's collection of free and premium embroidery patterns available through dmc.com. Patterns from this library are designed to showcase the full range of DMC Mouliné Spécial threads and are supported by an active community of