Friends Forever - Changing Mat in Anchor - Downloadable PDF

Friends Forever Changing Mat Embroidery Pattern by Anchor – Free Downloadable PDF

This Friends Forever Changing Mat is a charming embroidery design created by Anchor Studio and published by MEZ GmbH. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and guides embroiderers through decorating a ready-made baby changing mat with a delightful stitched motif. The finished embroidery measures 9 x 8.5 cm and is positioned centrally on the aida panel of a 49 x 71 cm baby changing mat, making it a wonderfully practical and personalised gift for a new arrival.

What Is Being Made

The project transforms a plain baby changing mat into a keepsake nursery accessory by adding a hand-embroidered design to its built-in aida fabric panel. The combination of cross stitch and backstitch creates a neat, detailed motif that sits at the heart of the mat. Because the changing mat itself serves as the base fabric, no additional fabric preparation or framing is required — the embroiderer simply works directly onto the aida panel already integrated into the mat.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch: The primary technique used throughout the design. Cross stitch is worked in two stages — the lower diagonal stitch is worked first from left to right, and the upper diagonal stitch is then worked from right to left, completing the characteristic X shape. On the chart, each coloured square represents one cross stitch worked over one woven square of aida fabric.
• Backstitch: Used for outlines and fine detail lines, backstitch is worked from right to left and creates clean, continuous lines that define shapes and add definition to the finished design. On the chart, each line symbol represents one backstitch.

A key tip included in the pattern is to always complete all cross stitch areas before working the backstitch outlines. This ensures the outlining sits neatly on top of the filled areas, giving the design a polished, professional finish. It is also recommended to always use a blunt-ended tapestry needle when working cross stitch, as this prevents the needle from splitting the woven threads of the aida fabric.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – worked with 2 strands of Anchor Stranded Cotton
• Backstitch (outlines only) – worked with 1 strand of Anchor Stranded Cotton for finer, more delicate lines

Materials and Thread

The pattern calls for Anchor Stranded Cotton (8m skeins), a widely trusted embroidery thread produced in accordance with Oeko-tex standards, with tested pH values and colours that adhere to Global fastness standards. The following seven colours are required, each used in a quantity of 1 skein:

• Anchor Stranded Cotton #23
• Anchor Stranded Cotton #27
• Anchor Stranded Cotton #108
• Anchor Stranded Cotton #313
• Anchor Stranded Cotton #885
• Anchor Stranded Cotton #1035
• Anchor Stranded Cotton #9159

In addition to the threads, the only notion required is a tapestry needle No. 24 and the baby changing mat itself, which features a pre-attached aida panel ready for embroidery.

Washing and Care Guidance

Because this is a functional baby accessory, the pattern includes important washing instructions. All Anchor threads are Oeko-tex certified, but the pattern advises washing embroidered items at the hottest temperature suitable for the fabric, using a large volume of water to prevent any excess dye from bleeding — particularly relevant when working with darker thread shades. The use of dye-catching sheets (available in supermarkets) is also recommended as an additional precaution.

Who This Pattern Is For

Rated as an intermediate embroidery project, this design is well suited to