Overgrown in DMC - PAT0904 - Downloadable PDF

Overgrown Embroidery Pattern by DMC (PAT0904) – Free Downloadable PDF

The Overgrown pattern from the DMC Library is a beautifully detailed floral embroidery design featuring a lush, garden-inspired arrangement of blooms and foliage. True to its name, the composition evokes the look of wildly flourishing flowers, layered and overlapping as though spilling beyond their borders. This is a free downloadable PDF pattern suited to intermediate embroidery enthusiasts who are comfortable working with a variety of hand embroidery stitches and want to explore dimensional and textured techniques.

The finished design measures approximately 15.5 cm x 15.5 cm, making it an ideal size for framing, mounting on a hoop, or incorporating into a textile project such as a cushion cover or tote bag.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a richly coloured floral embroidery piece worked in hand embroidery. The design includes multiple flower types rendered in a range of pinks, corals, purples, blues, and greens, creating a vibrant, layered botanical scene. The colour guide and technical chart included in the PDF provide a clear stitch-by-stitch and colour-by-colour breakdown of the entire composition.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Overgrown design is notable for combining both flat and three-dimensional embroidery techniques, giving the finished piece wonderful texture and depth. The following stitches are used throughout the pattern:

• Padded Stitch (Point de plumetis) – A technique where an initial layer of stitching is worked first to raise the surface, and then covered with satin-style stitches on top. This creates a smooth, slightly raised, sculptural effect ideal for flower petals and leaves.
• Woven Wheel Stitch (Point de roue tissé) – A classic stitch for creating full, rounded roses or circular flower heads. Straight spokes are laid first, then thread is woven under and over them in a spiral to build up a dimensional, textured bloom.
• Lazy Daisy Stitch (Point de bouclette) – A simple looped stitch used to form individual petals or small leaf shapes. Each loop is anchored at its tip, giving a delicate, open petal effect.
• Stem Stitch (Point de tige) – A classic outline stitch worked in a slightly overlapping manner to create smooth, rope-like lines. It is used here for stems, outlines, and curved details throughout the floral design.
• French Knot (Point de nœud) – A small, raised knot formed by wrapping thread around the needle before inserting it back into the fabric. French knots add texture, dot-like flower centres, and fine detail to the composition.
• Bullion Stitch (Point de poste) – A more advanced stitch where thread is coiled multiple times around the needle to create a raised, elongated bar or curved shape. Bullion stitches are often used to form rose buds, petals, and caterpillar-like textural elements.

The combination of these stitches — particularly the woven wheel, padded stitch, and bullion stitch — gives the Overgrown design its characteristic three-dimensional quality, with flowers that appear to lift off the fabric surface.

Materials Required

Thread

The pattern uses DMC Coton Perlé (Pearl Cotton) thread in three sizes, providing variation in line weight and texture across the design:

• DMC Coton Perlé Art 115, Size 3 – A thicker, lustrous twisted thread used for bold elements and larger stitches.
• DMC Coton Perlé Art 115, Size 5 – A medium-weight pearl cotton offering a balance of coverage and detail.
• DMC Coton Perlé Art 116, Size 8 – A finer weight thread used for delicate details and smaller-scale stitching.

The colour palette includes eight shades across the design, each specified by DMC colour code:

• DMC 211 – Light lavender purple (Size 3, x1 skein)
• DM