Anchor Blättermeer - ANC0003-79 - Downloadable PDF

Anchor Blättermeer – Embroidery Pattern ANC0003-79 by Pumora

Blättermeer (meaning "sea of leaves") is a beginner embroidery pattern designed by Pumora and published by Anchor as a free downloadable PDF (design number ANC0003-79). The finished piece measures 16 x 12 cm and depicts a delicate botanical composition of branches and leaves stitched in a harmonious palette of greens, turquoise, and yellow. This pattern is an ideal introduction to hand embroidery, guiding newcomers through a variety of classic stitches while producing a charming, nature-inspired result.

What Is Being Made

The design features nine distinct leaf and branch motifs (Blatt #1 through Blatt #9), each worked in a slightly different technique or colour combination. Together they form a lush, layered botanical scene. The variety of approaches across the nine elements means that even within a single beginner-level project, stitchers gain hands-on experience with multiple foundational embroidery methods.

Materials Required

• Fabric: Natural white cotton fabric (Baumwollstoff in naturweiß), 25 x 20 cm
• Thread: Anchor Stranded Cotton (8 m skeins), used with 3 of the 6 strands unless otherwise noted, in the following colours:
  • #00879 – dark green
  • #00877 – medium green
  • #00187 – turquoise
  • #01043 – light green
  • #00297 – yellow
• Needle: Size 5 embroidery needle
• Additional tools: Scissors, and a printed template transferred onto the fabric before stitching begins

Stitches Used

One of the greatest strengths of this pattern for beginners is its introduction to a range of classic hand embroidery stitches, each applied purposefully to different parts of the design:

• Satin Stitch (Plattstich): Used to fill leaf surfaces with smooth, closely packed parallel stitches. The pattern begins at the tip of the leaf with a long stitch down to the centre line, then works angled stitches along each side.
• Interlocking Satin Stitch (verzahnter Plattstich): A variation of satin stitch where rows interlock for a more textured fill, used to stitch the areas surrounding small circular motifs in Blatt #8.
• Stem Stitch (Stielstich): The primary stitch for rendering stems and branches throughout the design, producing a smooth, rope-like line ideal for curved botanical forms.
• Back Stitch (Rückstich): Used as a foundation line for leaf veins, over which angled stitches are added to each side to create a feathered, vein-like effect.
• Lazy Daisy Stitch (Kettenstich / Margeritenstich): Individual detached chain stitches used to suggest small, rounded leaves along branches, giving a light and airy botanical feel.

Design Breakdown – Individual Motifs

Blatt #1

Leaves are stitched in light green (#01043) using satin stitch, starting at the tip and working angled stitches down each side of the centre line. The stem is worked in turquoise (#00187) with stem stitch. Leaf veins along the centre line of each leaf are added using a combination of back stitch and angled side stitches, also in turquoise.

Blatt #6

This small branch is embroidered entirely in turquoise (#00187). The stem is rendered in stem stitch, and individual lazy daisy stitches (Margeritenst