Fern + Tortuosa in DMC - PAT0002 - Downloadable PDF

Fern + Tortuosa Embroidery Pattern by Sew & Saunders x DMC (PAT0002)

This free downloadable PDF embroidery pattern is a collaboration between Sew & Saunders and DMC, featuring two botanical designs: a fern and a tortuosa (also presented under the French title Fougères & Saule). The finished design measures 15.3cm x 9cm, making it an elegant and manageable project suited to intermediate embroiderers looking to develop their botanical stitching skills.

What You Will Make

The pattern guides you through stitching two detailed botanical motifs — a lush fern and a tortuosa plant — rendered in a carefully curated palette of greens. The designs are ideal for decorating fabric items such as clothing, hoop art, tote bags, cushions, or any textile surface where a refined botanical aesthetic is desired. The bilingual instructions (English and French) make this pattern accessible to a wide international audience.

Designs Covered

• Fern (Fougères): A classic botanical fern motif featuring multiple leaf details, worked across several colour zones using a combination of stem stitch, satin stitch, and backstitch to capture the delicate, layered fronds characteristic of fern foliage.
• Tortuosa (Saule): A companion botanical design with similarly structured leaf details, sharing the same stitch vocabulary as the fern to create a cohesive paired composition.

Stitches Used

The pattern uses three core embroidery stitches, each assigned a code letter in the technical chart:

• Stem Stitch (Point de tige) — Code A: A classic outline and linear stitch worked by overlapping stitches along a line, ideal for capturing the curved stems and branches of botanical subjects. It produces a smooth, rope-like line that follows the natural flow of plant forms.
• Satin Stitch (Passé plat) — Code B: A filling stitch consisting of closely laid parallel stitches that completely cover a shape, giving a smooth, lustrous surface. It is used extensively across the leaf details in both designs, creating solid, polished areas of colour.
• Backstitch (Point arrière) — Code C: A versatile and precise stitch used for fine outlines and detail work. Backstitch creates a continuous, even line and is used here to define edges and add crisp definition to the botanical forms.

Techniques Used

Beyond the individual stitches, the pattern introduces embroiderers to key techniques including design transfer onto fabric using a Magic Sheet, transfer pen, or transfer paper. The included instructions walk through cutting the pre-printed magic paper, positioning the motif creatively on your base fabric, and hooping the fabric correctly before beginning to stitch. This transfer method is particularly beginner-friendly within the intermediate skill context, removing the need for freehand drawing.

Materials Required

• Thread: DMC Mouliné Spécial ART 117 stranded cotton embroidery floss, used with 3 strands throughout. The colour palette consists of four shades:
  • DMC 895 — x2 skeins
  • DMC 501 — x2 skeins
  • DMC 522 — x1 skein
  • DMC 3013 — x1 skein
• Needle: A No. 12 embroidery needle is recommended for use with the specified thread weight and fabric.
• Fabric: A base fabric of your choice, with the design size and thread quantities calculated for the 15.3cm x 9cm finished dimensions.
• Transfer Materials: Magic sheet, transfer pen, or transfer paper to apply the design to fabric prior to stitching.

Pattern Format and Availability

This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF (PAT0002) and includes a full colour guide, a technical chart with