Ruffled Feathers - PDF

Ruffled Feathers Cross Stitch Pattern – Kooler Design Studio (KDS# 1436)

Ruffled Feathers is a decorative cross stitch design created by Linda Gillum for Kooler Design Studio, published under chart number KDS# 1436. Available as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level embroidery pattern is part of the Kooler Classic Charts collection and is well-suited for stitchers who have moved beyond beginner projects and are comfortable working with multiple stitch types and a detailed color palette.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a decorative needlework piece featuring a ruffled feather motif, designed to be displayed as home décor. The finished design has a stitch count of 82 wide by 172 high, making it a tall, elegant composition. Depending on the fabric count chosen, the finished size varies:

• 10 Count: approximately 7⅜ inches wide by 15⅝ inches high
• 14 Count: approximately 5¾ inches wide by 12¼ inches high
• 16 Count: approximately 5⅛ inches wide by 10¾ inches high
• 18 Count: approximately 4½ inches wide by 9½ inches high

The pattern recommends adding 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow for framing or finishing.

Techniques Used

This is a counted cross stitch pattern, meaning stitchers follow a charted grid to place each stitch precisely on evenweave fabric. The design incorporates several embroidery techniques that add texture, dimension, and fine detail to the finished piece:

• Full Cross Stitch – the primary technique used to fill the design with color and form
• Quarter Cross Stitch (¼ Stitch) – used to refine curved edges and add smoother outlines within the design
• Backstitch – worked in a single strand to outline and define elements, adding crispness and detail
• Straight Stitch – used decoratively to suggest fine feather details or linear texture
• French Knots – small, raised knots that add tactile dimension and accent points within the composition

The combination of these techniques makes Ruffled Feathers an excellent intermediate project, offering the opportunity to practice and refine a range of hand embroidery skills beyond basic cross stitch.

Stitches Used

• Full Cross Stitch – worked with 3 strands of floss
• Quarter Cross Stitch – worked with 3 strands of floss
• Straight Stitch – worked with 3 strands of floss
• French Knots – worked with 1 strand of floss
• Backstitch – worked with 1 strand of floss

Materials – Fabric

The design is specified to be stitched on 14 Count White Aida fabric, which is the most commonly used evenweave fabric in counted cross stitch. Aida cloth features a uniform grid of holes that makes it easy to place stitches consistently. The 14-count designation means there are 14 stitching squares per inch, producing a finely detailed result at a manageable scale. The pattern can also be adapted to 10, 16, or 18 count fabric to adjust the finished size as preferred.

Materials – Floss

The pattern uses DMC embroidery floss, a widely available, colorfast six-strand cotton thread. The design calls for a rich palette of 28 DMC colors, including warm earth tones, rich reds, blues, and neutrals. The specific DMC colors listed in the chart include:

• DMC 301, 402, 435, 738, 729, 3826 – warm browns, golds, and tawny tones that form the body of the feather
• DMC 304, 666, 721