Flamingo in DMC - PAT0524 - Downloadable PDF

Flamingo Embroidery Pattern by Ruby Taylor x DMC (PAT0524) – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable embroidery pattern is a stunning collaboration between illustrator Ruby Taylor and DMC, featuring a beautifully detailed flamingo design. The finished embroidery measures approximately 11.6 cm x 18.4 cm, making it an ideal project for framing, hoop art, or incorporating into soft furnishings and accessories. Rated as intermediate in difficulty, this pattern is well suited to embroiderers who are comfortable with a range of hand stitching techniques and are ready to develop their skills further with more complex shading and detail work.

About the Design

The flamingo motif is rendered in a rich, naturalistic palette that captures the bird's iconic pink plumage, elegant long neck, and distinctive silhouette. The design uses a carefully curated selection of eleven DMC thread colours, blending soft pinks, corals, greens, and neutrals to create depth and dimension. The colour guide and technical chart included in the PDF make it straightforward to follow the placement of each shade across the design.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs four core hand embroidery techniques, each contributing to the overall texture and realism of the finished flamingo:

• Backstitch (Point arrière): A fundamental outlining stitch that creates clean, precise lines. Backstitch is worked by inserting the needle behind the previous stitch, producing a solid, unbroken line ideal for defining the flamingo's contours and fine details.
• Satin Stitch (Passé plat): A classic filling stitch worked in smooth, parallel threads laid closely side by side to completely cover an area of fabric. Satin stitch gives a flat, lustrous finish that is perfect for solid blocks of colour within the design.
• Long and Short Stitch (Passé empiétant): An advanced shading technique in which alternating long and short stitches are worked in rows, with subsequent rows interlocking into the previous ones. This method allows for seamless blending of colours and is essential for achieving the gradient tones seen in the flamingo's feathers.
• Split Stitch (Point fendu): A versatile stitch in which the needle pierces through the centre of the previous stitch, splitting the thread. Split stitch is commonly used for smooth outlines and as an underlay beneath satin stitch to raise and define filled areas.

Materials Required

• Thread: DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 – the pattern calls for 3 strands throughout, using one skein each of eleven colours: 911, 913, 945, 976, 321, 892, 3705, 3708, 353, B5200, and 310. This range spans fresh greens, warm peachy nudes, vivid and blush pinks, coral tones, bright red, and classic black and white.
• Needle: A No. 12 embroidery needle is recommended, suited to working with multiple strands of stranded cotton on fine fabric.
• Fabric: The pattern references a fabric base suitable for transfer. DMC's Magic Sheet, combined with a transfer pen and transfer paper, is suggested as the method for transferring the flamingo design accurately onto your chosen fabric.

Pattern Format and Accessibility

This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF directly from DMC, making it immediately accessible with no purchase required. The PDF includes a full colour guide, a technical chart showing stitch placement, a complete thread colour list with skein quantities, and step-by-step instructions in both English and French. It is part of the broader DMC Library (Bibliothèque DMC) collection of free patterns and tutorials available at dmc.com.

Who Is This Pattern For?

This design is best suited to intermediate embroiderers who have a working knowledge of basic stitches and are looking to practise blending and shading with long and short stitch. The combination of techniques — from the precision of backstitch outlining to the painterly quality of long and short stitch — offers an excellent opportunity to build confidence with more advanced needlework. The finished piece makes a