Anchor Aromatic Plants - Thyme and Borage Napkins - 0060044-00901_09 - Downloadable PDF

Anchor Aromatic Plants – Thyme and Borage Napkins Embroidery Pattern (Free Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable embroidery pattern from Anchor Studio guides you through creating a charming pair of decorative napkins featuring two classic aromatic plants: Thyme and Borage. Published by MEZ GmbH under the Anchor brand, this is a delightful intermediate-level project that combines traditional hand embroidery techniques to produce elegant, botanically inspired table linen. The finished napkins each measure 35 x 35 cm, with the embroidered motifs sized at approximately 6 x 6 cm (Thyme) and 5.5 x 7.5 cm (Borage), making them a refined yet approachable project for embroiderers looking to develop their skills.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces two embroidered napkins, each featuring a different botanical motif drawn from the world of aromatic herbs and edible flowers. The Thyme napkin showcases the delicate, small-leaved herb rendered in soft, naturalistic tones, while the Borage napkin captures the star-shaped blue flowers of this beloved garden plant. Together they form a coordinated set ideal for the dining table, as a handmade gift, or as a decorative textile accent in the home. The combination of precise stitchwork and a carefully curated colour palette gives both designs a fresh, contemporary feel rooted in traditional craft.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch: The primary decorative technique used throughout both motifs. Cross stitch is worked over 2 fabric threads each way, creating neat, even X-shaped stitches that build up the botanical imagery with colour and texture. This counted thread approach requires careful attention to the fabric weave, ensuring each stitch aligns consistently for a polished result.
• Backstitch: Used to add fine detail, outlines, and definition to the motifs. Backstitch is worked from right to left — the needle is brought up through the fabric, a single stitch is made down to the right, and the needle is brought out a double stitch length to the left before being stitched back to meet the previous stitch. This produces a continuous, unbroken line ideal for rendering stems, leaf veins, and delicate botanical details. All stitches should be kept the same length for a neat finish.
• Simple Hemstitch: A classic finishing technique applied to the edges of the napkins. Hemstitch draws together groups of fabric threads to create a decorative, open border that frames the embroidered motif beautifully and gives the napkins a professional, heirloom quality.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch (worked over 2 fabric threads each way)
• Backstitch (for outlines and fine detail)
• Simple hemstitch (for decorative edge finishing)

Materials – Thread and Needle

Both designs are stitched using Anchor Stranded Cotton (8m skeins), worked with 2 strands throughout. Stranded cotton is a versatile, divisible embroidery thread available in a wide range of colours, and working with 2 strands gives a fine, precise coverage well suited to small botanical motifs on linen-weight fabric.

Thyme Motif – Thread Colours

• Anchor Stranded Cotton in the following shades, 1 skein each: #23, #26, #226, #241, #246, #271

Borage Motif – Thread Colours

• Anchor Stranded Cotton in the following shades, 1 skein each: #1, #129, #176, #241, #246, #352, #875, #876

Note that shades #241 and #246 appear in both designs, allowing for a subtle colour harmony across the matching napkin set.

Needle

• A No. 24 tapestry needle (1 needle required)