DMC Autumn Embroidery Pattern - PAT1660 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Autumn Embroidery Pattern PAT1660 – Free Downloadable PDF Overview

The DMC Autumn Embroidery Pattern PAT1660 is a free, downloadable PDF from the DMC Library that guides embroiderers through creating a detailed autumn/fall botanical scene. Featuring the rich, warm tones of the season — deep oranges, russet browns, golden yellows, and earthy greens — this design captures the essence of fall foliage and is well suited to framing, hoop display, or use as a decorative textile accent. Rated as advanced beginner level, it is an excellent project for those who have mastered a handful of foundational stitches and are ready to combine multiple techniques within a single, cohesive composition.

What Is Being Made

Stitchers will create an embroidered autumn botanical composition, likely incorporating seasonal elements such as leaves, branches, and natural fall motifs, rendered in a carefully curated palette of 14 DMC thread colours. The finished piece is designed to be displayed as decorative needlework, making it a popular choice for home décor projects and handmade gifts during the autumn season.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern makes use of six distinct embroidery stitches, each assigned a letter code within the colour diagram to guide placement. The combination of these techniques gives the finished design both texture and dimension:

• Satin Stitch (Point Passé Plat) – Code A: A classic filling stitch worked in smooth, parallel threads laid side by side to fill a shape solidly. Ideal for rendering leaves and petals with a clean, polished surface.
• Backstitch (Point Arrière) – Code B: One of the most fundamental embroidery stitches, used here for outlines, fine detail lines, and defining the edges of motifs with precision.
• Stem Stitch (Point de Tige) – Code C: A rope-like line stitch worked by overlapping each stitch slightly, commonly used for stems, branches, and curved outlines. It produces a smooth, flowing line that is perfect for botanical subjects.
• Chain Stitch (Point de Chaînette) – Code D: A looped stitch that creates a linked, chain-like line or can be used as a filling. It adds a slightly raised, textured quality to the design.
• French Knot (Point de Nœud) – Code E: A dimensional stitch created by wrapping the thread around the needle before inserting it back into the fabric. French knots add tactile texture and are often used to suggest berries, seeds, or decorative dot clusters.
• Fishbone Stitch (Point d'Arête) – Code F: A branching stitch that mimics the structure of a leaf or feather, with stitches radiating from a central spine. It is particularly well suited to rendering individual leaves with a naturalistic, structured appearance and is used extensively throughout this design.

The combination of line stitches such as backstitch and stem stitch with filling stitches such as satin stitch and fishbone stitch, alongside the three-dimensional quality of French knots, gives this pattern a satisfying variety of texture and visual depth that is characteristic of well-designed botanical embroidery.

Colour Palette

The pattern uses 14 colours of DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 — the iconic six-strand divisible embroidery floss available worldwide. Each colour is required in a quantity of one skein. The colour codes used are:

• 606 – Bright Orange-Red
• 970 – Pumpkin
• 3821 – Straw
• 3865 – Winter White
• 3024 – Brown Grey Very Light
• 433 – Brown Medium
• 434 – Brown Light
• 611 – Drab Brown
• 612 – Drab Brown Medium Light
• 310 – Black
• 832 – Golden Olive
• 733 – Olive Green Medium