Point de marque 4.11 in DMC - PAT0551 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Marking Stitch 4th Series – Point de Marque 4ème Série, Spread No. 11 (PAT0551)

This free downloadable PDF from the DMC Library (Bibliothèque DMC) presents Spread No. 11 (Planche 11) from the celebrated Marking Stitch 4th Series – Point de Marque 4ème Série, a classic collection of traditional embroidery charts originally published by Éditions Th. de Dillmont. The design is a coloured cross stitch sampler chart featuring decorative marking motifs — the kind of lettering, borders, and ornamental elements historically used to personalise household linens, clothing, and keepsakes with initials or monograms.

What Is Being Made

The pattern provides a charted embroidery design in the traditional point de marque (marking stitch) style. These designs are typically stitched onto evenweave fabric or Aida cloth to create personalised samplers, monogrammed linens, decorative panels, or framed needlework pieces. The marking stitch tradition has deep roots in European embroidery history, where such charts were used to embroider identifying marks onto household textiles.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch (Point de Croix) – the primary technique, worked over a counted grid to build up the coloured design
• Backstitch (Point Arrière) – used for outlining, fine detail, and definition within the motifs
• Three-Quarter Stitch (3/4 Point de Croix) – used to create smoother curves and more refined edges within the design

Stitches Used

The chart specifically calls for full cross stitch, backstitch, and three-quarter cross stitch (3/4 stitch). The combination of these three stitches allows embroiderers to achieve both bold, solid areas of colour and finely detailed outlines and curves, which are especially important in lettering and ornamental marking designs.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated beginner level, making it an excellent introduction to counted cross stitch. The use of a coloured chart — where each symbol or colour block corresponds directly to a DMC thread colour — makes it straightforward to follow even for those new to embroidery.

Materials Referenced

The chart is designed for use with DMC stranded embroidery floss (cotton mouliné). The specific DMC thread colours referenced in the chart include:

• DMC 3832 – medium raspberry
• DMC 3031 – very dark mocha brown (used extensively for outlines and detail)
• DMC 603 – cranberry
• DMC 169 – light pewter
• DMC 721 – medium orange spice

The pattern is intended to be stitched on evenweave or Aida fabric using a blunt tapestry needle appropriate for counted thread embroidery. No crochet hooks or knitting needles are required for this embroidery project.

About the DMC Marking Stitch Series

The Point de Marque (Marking Stitch) series from the DMC Library is a historically significant collection of embroidery charts rooted in the European sampler tradition. Spread No. 11 is one of many plates in the 4th Series, each offering a fresh arrangement of motifs, borders, and letterforms. These charts are a wonderful resource for embroiderers interested in traditional needlework, monogramming, and the art of the decorative sampler. The bilingual French and English presentation reflects DMC's longstanding international heritage.