DMC Pansy - PAT0885 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Pansy Cross Stitch Pattern (PAT0885) – Free Downloadable PDF

This DMC Pansy cross stitch pattern (PAT0885) is a beautifully detailed floral embroidery design featuring the iconic pansy (pensée in French), rendered in a rich palette of coloured threads. Released as part of the DMC Library collection, this pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it an accessible and rewarding project for embroidery enthusiasts at an intermediate skill level. The finished design measures approximately 18.5 × 21 cm (7.28 × 8.26 inches) when stitched on 14-count Aida fabric, making it a substantial and display-worthy piece.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a coloured cross stitch depiction of a pansy flower, capturing the distinctive rounded petals and rich, layered colouring that make pansies such a beloved subject in needlework. The design is suitable for framing, mounting in an embroidery hoop as wall art, or incorporating into home décor projects such as cushion covers or decorative panels.

Techniques Used

• Full cross stitch – the primary technique used throughout the design to build up the pansy's petals and foliage with solid, even coverage
• Quarter cross stitch (1/4 stitch) – indicated on the chart to add refined detail and smooth the edges of curved shapes, giving the pansy its naturalistic, organic outline
• Colour blending – the use of multiple closely related thread colours creates realistic shading and depth across the petals and leaves
• Chart reading – stitchers follow a coloured cross stitch chart (diagramme point de croix en couleurs), interpreting colour-coded symbols to place each stitch accurately

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – the foundational stitch of the entire design, worked over one square of Aida fabric per stitch
• Quarter cross stitch – used selectively to refine curves and fine details within the pansy motif

Materials Required

This pattern is designed specifically for use with DMC Pearl Cotton Embroidery Thread (Article 116). The colour palette includes the following DMC thread shades:

• DMC 907 – a bright parrot green for foliage
• DMC 581 – a deeper moss green adding depth to leaves and stems
• DMC 742 – a warm tangerine yellow for petal highlights
• DMC 726 – a soft buttercup yellow for lighter petal areas
• DMC 221 – a deep dusty rose or burgundy for rich petal shading
• DMC 211 – a delicate lavender for the lighter purple tones of the pansy
• DMC B5200 – a bright white used for highlights and contrast

In addition to the thread, the following tools and materials are needed:

• Cross stitch fabric / Aida cloth – the pattern size of 18.5 × 21 cm is based on 14-count Aida, the most widely used and beginner-friendly cross stitch fabric, with 14 stitches per inch
• Cross stitch needle – a blunt-tipped tapestry needle appropriate for the chosen Aida count
• Embroidery hoop – optional but recommended to keep fabric taut and stitches even during work
• Scissors – for trimming thread ends neatly

About the Design and Difficulty Level

Rated at an intermediate difficulty level, this pattern is ideal for stitchers who are comfortable with basic cross stitch but ready to work with a broader colour palette and more complex shading. The inclusion of quarter stitches adds a layer of challenge that rewards patience with a more polished, detailed result. The coloured chart format makes it straightforward to follow,