Autumn Leaves in DMC - PAT0711 - Downloadable PDF

Autumn Leaves Embroidery Pattern by DMC – Free Downloadable PDF (PAT0711)

This free downloadable embroidery pattern from DMC invites stitchers to create a beautiful Autumn Leaves design with a warm Thanksgiving theme. Titled Thanksgiving – Autumn Leaves (also presented in French as Thanksgiving – Feuilles d'Automne), this project captures the rich, seasonal palette of fall foliage in a classic hand embroidery format. It is rated as an intermediate difficulty project, making it an ideal step up for stitchers who have mastered basic embroidery techniques and are ready to work with more detailed colour placement and multiple thread references.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is an embroidered composition of autumn leaves, designed to celebrate the Thanksgiving season. The design features a rich arrangement of fall foliage rendered in a wide spectrum of warm, earthy tones. The colour guide included in the PDF references an extensive set of thread colour codes — including shades labelled across groups such as A1, A2, A5, A8, B1, B3, B4, B5, B6, B8, C7, D1, D2, D3, D4, E3, F2, F5, and F8 — indicating a nuanced, multi-toned design that blends highlights and shadows to give the leaves a naturalistic, dimensional appearance. This level of colour detail is characteristic of DMC's library patterns, which are known for their careful thread selection and refined aesthetic.

Techniques Used

• Backstitch (Point Arrière): The primary technique confirmed in the pattern instructions, backstitch is a foundational hand embroidery stitch used to create clean, continuous lines. It is commonly employed for outlining shapes, defining leaf veins, and adding fine detail to botanical designs. In the context of this autumn leaves motif, backstitch likely defines the edges and internal structure of each leaf, giving the composition its characteristic crispness and clarity.
• Colour blending and shading: The extensive colour guide — spanning nearly twenty distinct thread references across multiple colour families — strongly suggests that the design relies on careful colour placement and thread shading to achieve a realistic, layered look across the leaf forms.
• Pattern reading from a colour diagram and technical chart: The PDF includes both a colour guide / diagramme en couleur and a technical chart / diagramme, meaning stitchers will need to cross-reference both documents to accurately position each colour. This is a key intermediate-level skill in hand embroidery.

Stitches Used

• Backstitch – explicitly referenced in the pattern instructions as the core stitch of the design, used to build up the leaf motifs with structured, even lines

Materials Referenced

This pattern is designed for use with DMC embroidery threads, consistent with the brand's standard six-strand cotton floss range. The colour guide references a large number of specific DMC thread colour codes, which would be selected from DMC's well-known stranded cotton (mouliné) collection. While the PDF does not specify a particular fabric, traditional hand embroidery patterns of this style are typically worked on evenweave or Aida fabric, or on a plain woven cotton or linen ground, using a blunt-tipped embroidery needle appropriate for surface stitching. No crochet hooks or knitting needles are required for this project.

Pattern Format and Availability

This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF directly from DMC, part of the official DMC Library / Bibliothèque DMC collection. The PDF is presented bilingually in English and French, reflecting DMC's international audience. It is published under © DMC 2017, with all rights reserved. Stitchers are encouraged to share their finished makes using the hashtag #dmcthreads across DMC's social media community on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Who This Pattern Is Suited For

As an intermediate-level embroidery pattern, Autumn Leaves is best suited to stitchers who are comfortable following a colour-coded diagram, managing multiple thread colours within a single project, and executing neat, consistent backstitch over a detailed design. The seasonal Thanksgiving theme makes it a particularly appealing project for autumn stitching, seasonal home décor, or