Point de Marque 4.13 in DMC - PAT0553 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Point de Marque 4th Series – Spread 13 (PAT0553): Cross Stitch Sampler Pattern Overview

This free downloadable PDF from the DMC Library (Bibliothèque DMC) presents Spread No. 13 (Planche 13) from the celebrated Point de Marque 4th Series (Point de Marque 4ème Série) — a classic collection of marking stitch designs rooted in the long European tradition of embroidered samplers and monogram work. Originally published by Éditions Th. de Dillmont, this pattern continues a heritage of precise, decorative needlework charting that has been treasured by embroiderers for generations.

What Is Being Made

This pattern provides a coloured cross stitch chart for a marking stitch design — a style of embroidery historically used to embroider initials, letters, numbers, and decorative motifs onto household linens, clothing, and samplers. The finished piece from Spread 13 is a refined, small-scale embroidered design suitable for use as a standalone decorative piece, a monogram element, or incorporated into a larger sampler project. The bilingual presentation (English and French) reflects the pattern's prestigious origins and its appeal to an international audience of needlework enthusiasts.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs a combination of four distinct embroidery techniques, all clearly indicated on the coloured chart:

• Cross Stitch (Point de Croix) – The foundational stitch of the design, worked over a counted grid to build solid areas of colour and form the primary motif. Each cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the centre, creating the characteristic X shape.
• Backstitch (Point Arrière) – Used for outlining, fine detail, and lettering definition. Backstitch creates a continuous, smooth line that gives crisp edges and added dimension to the finished embroidery.
• 3/4 Stitch (3/4 Point de Croix) – A partial cross stitch where one full diagonal and one half diagonal are worked, allowing for smoother curves and more refined shapes within the design. This technique is what elevates the pattern to an intermediate difficulty level.
• 1/4 + 3/4 Stitch (1/4 + 3/4 Point de Croix) – A combination technique where two partial stitches share a single canvas hole, enabling even finer curves and detailed shaping. This is particularly useful for rounded letterforms and intricate decorative elements typical of marking stitch traditions.

Stitches Used

• Full Cross Stitch – primary coverage stitch
• Backstitch – outlining and fine line detail
• 3/4 Cross Stitch – partial stitch for curved edges
• 1/4 Cross Stitch combined with 3/4 Cross Stitch – advanced partial stitch pairing for refined shaping

Colour Palette and DMC Thread References

The pattern is presented as a coloured chart, making thread colour identification straightforward. The following DMC stranded cotton thread colour numbers are specified within the chart:

• DMC 3031 – a deep, warm mocha brown, used extensively as the dominant colour throughout the design
• DMC 349 – a rich, vivid coral red, used as an accent colour
• DMC 742 – a warm, golden tangerine yellow, used as a secondary accent
• DMC 792 – a deep cornflower blue, used as a detail accent
• DMC 3607 – a bright fuchsia-plum, used as a detail accent

The palette is characteristically restrained and traditional, with DMC 3031 forming the structural backbone of the design while the accent colours — coral, gold, blue, and fuchsia — add points of visual interest consistent with classic European sampler aesthetics.

Materials Required

As is standard for DMC counted cross stitch patterns of this type, the recommended materials include:

• DMC Stranded Cotton