Decadent Country Garden in DMC - PAT0163 - Downloadable PDF

Decadent Country Garden Cross Stitch Pattern by DMC – PAT0163

The Decadent Country Garden (also titled Jardin Décadent de Pays in French) is a free, downloadable PDF embroidery pattern published by DMC in 2017. Designed for intermediate embroiderers, this charming project produces a long, elegant border design brimming with the lush, romantic imagery of a classic country garden. The finished piece works beautifully as a decorative band sampler, a framed artwork, or an embellishment for linens and home accessories.

What Is Being Made

The pattern creates a narrow, elongated border or band design featuring country garden motifs rendered in full colour. The finished design dimensions vary depending on the fabric count chosen:

• 7 x 38.5 cm (2.75 x 15.15 inches) on lower-count fabric
• 7 x 36.5 cm (2.75 x 14.4 inches) on mid-count fabric
• 7 x 34.5 cm (2.75 x 13.6 inches) on higher-count fabric

The slender, landscape-format composition makes it ideal for decorating table runners, bookmark projects, or as a repeating border on larger textile pieces. The country garden theme evokes the abundance and beauty of a traditional cottage or rural garden in full bloom.

Techniques Used

This pattern uses two core embroidery techniques that are fundamental to counted cross stitch work:

• Coloured Cross Stitch: The primary technique used to fill in the design. Each cross stitch is formed by working two diagonal stitches over one another to create an X shape on the fabric. The pattern is provided as a full-colour chart, making it straightforward to follow the placement of each colour.
• Backstitch: Used to add fine outlines, detail lines, and definition to the design. Backstitch is worked in a continuous line of short, even stitches and is essential for bringing crispness and clarity to motifs such as stems, petals, and other botanical details. The combination of cross stitch fills and backstitch outlines gives the finished piece a polished, professional appearance.

The pattern is supplied as a coloured cross stitch chart with backstitch, presented across multiple pages (including both a colour chart and a plain chart for reference), allowing stitchers to follow the design with ease whether they prefer to work from colour or symbol-based grids.

Stitches Used

• Cross Stitch – the foundational stitch of the design, used to build up all areas of colour
• Backstitch – used for outlining and adding fine detail throughout the composition

Materials Required

The pattern's Getting Started Tool Kit section specifies the following materials:

• DMC Mouliné Spécial embroidery thread (reference 117MC) – the recommended stranded cotton thread for this project. DMC Mouliné Spécial is a six-strand divisible thread known for its vibrant, colourfast colours and smooth, lustrous finish, making it the industry standard for cross stitch and embroidery work.
• Cross stitch fabric / Aida – the pattern is designed to be stitched on counted cross stitch fabric, commonly known as Aida. The fabric's count (the number of stitches per inch) directly affects the finished size of the design; a higher count produces a smaller, finer result, while a lower count yields a larger piece.
• Cross stitch needle – a blunt-tipped tapestry needle appropriate for counted work on Aida fabric
• Embroidery hoop – listed as optional, but recommended to keep fabric taut and stitches even during work
• Scissors – for trimming thread ends neatly

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as intermediate in difficulty, the Decadent Country Garden pattern is well suited to stitchers who are comfortable with basic cross stitch and are ready to work with a multi-colour chart and incorporate backstitch detailing