English Country Garden in DMC - PAT0158 - Downloadable PDF

English Country Garden Cross Stitch Pattern – PAT0158 by DMC

The English Country Garden is a charming cross stitch embroidery pattern by DMC, available as a free downloadable PDF (PAT0158). Evoking the timeless beauty of a traditional English garden in bloom, this design is presented as a wide, elegant horizontal composition measuring 31 × 7.5 cm (approximately 12.5 × 3 inches) when stitched on 14-count Aida fabric. It makes an ideal piece for framing, decorating a hoop, or incorporating into home décor projects such as table runners, cushion covers, or wall art.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a colourful, landscape-format embroidery inspired by the flora and atmosphere of an English country garden. The finished design is long and narrow, making it well suited to banner-style framing or as a decorative border element. The combination of rich botanical colours and classic stitching techniques gives the finished piece a traditional yet vibrant aesthetic.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch: The primary technique used throughout the design. Cross stitch involves forming small X-shaped stitches on an even-weave or Aida fabric, with each stitch occupying one square of the fabric grid. It is one of the most accessible and widely practised forms of hand embroidery, making it suitable for stitchers of all levels, though this pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty.
• Backstitch: Used as an outlining and detail technique to add definition, fine lines, and crisp edges to the design. Backstitch creates a continuous, unbroken line and is commonly used in cross stitch projects to enhance the clarity of motifs and add a polished, finished look.

Stitches Used

• Cross Stitch – worked using 2 strands of DMC Mouliné Spécial embroidery thread
• Backstitch – worked using 1 strand of DMC Mouliné Spécial embroidery thread

Colours and Thread

The pattern calls for DMC Mouliné Spécial (117MC) embroidery thread in a rich and varied palette of 15 colours, each requiring one skein. The full colour selection is as follows:

• DMC 3341 – a soft apricot tone
• DMC 3830 – a warm terracotta
• DMC 734 – a muted olive green
• DMC 3755 – a soft cornflower blue
• DMC 973 – a bright canary yellow
• DMC 986 – a deep forest green (also used for backstitch)
• DMC 3045 – a warm golden tan (listed twice, used in two areas of the design)
• DMC 208 – a deep lavender purple
• DMC 972 – a vivid deep yellow-orange
• DMC 988 – a medium grass green
• DMC 310 – classic black
• DMC 211 – a pale lilac
• DMC 312 – a deep navy blue
• DMC 3726 – a dusty antique mauve

This broad palette reflects the natural diversity of a garden setting, capturing flowers, foliage, and botanical detail with depth and vibrancy. The DMC 986 deep forest green is used for both cross stitch fills and backstitch outlines, meaning no additional skein is required for the outlining work.

Materials Required

• DMC Mouliné Spécial embroidery thread – one skein each of the 15 listed colours
• Cross stitch fabric / Aida fabric – 14-count Aida is recommended, particularly for intermediate stitchers; higher counts