Friends Forever - Pouch for Nappy Change in Anchor - Downloadable PDF

Friends Forever – Embroidered Pouch for Nappy Change by Anchor

This charming downloadable PDF embroidery pattern from Anchor Studio guides you through creating a beautifully decorated pouch designed to hold nappy changing items. Rated as an intermediate level project, it is an ideal choice for embroiderers who are comfortable with foundational stitches and ready to work with a colour palette and a structured chart. The finished pouch measures 20 x 31 cm, with an embroidered design area of 14.5 x 9.5 cm, making it a practical and giftable accessory for new parents.

What Is Being Made

The project produces a nappy change pouch – a compact, fabric-based storage accessory intended to neatly organise nappy changing essentials. The pouch itself serves as the base onto which the embroidery design is worked, resulting in a finished item that is both functional and decorative. This pattern is offered as a free downloadable PDF, designed by Anchor Studio and carrying design number 0060002-00701-04.

Embroidery Techniques Used

The pattern employs two core hand embroidery techniques that are fundamental to counted thread work:

• Cross stitch – The primary technique used throughout the design. Each coloured square on the chart represents one cross stitch. Cross stitch is worked by forming an X-shaped stitch over an even-weave or Aida fabric grid, building up solid areas of colour to create the overall image. The pattern specifies that cross stitch should always be completed before backstitch is added.
• Backstitch – Used for outlines and detail lines. Backstitch creates clean, continuous lines by working stitches in a back-and-forth motion, giving definition and crispness to the edges of the embroidered motifs. On the chart, each line represents one backstitch.

A helpful tip included in the pattern advises embroiderers to always use a blunt-ended tapestry needle when working cross stitch, as this prevents the thread from splitting the fabric weave and ensures neat, even stitches.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – worked with 2 strands of Anchor Stranded Cotton
• Backstitch (outlines and detail lines) – worked with 1 strand of Anchor Stranded Cotton

Materials and Thread

The pattern uses Anchor Stranded Cotton in 8-metre skeins. Stranded cotton is a versatile six-strand embroidery thread that can be separated to achieve different thicknesses; in this pattern, strands are divided as specified above for cross stitch and backstitch respectively. The following Anchor thread colours are required:

• Anchor #23
• Anchor #27
• Anchor #108
• Anchor #305
• Anchor #885
• Anchor #1035
• Anchor #9159

One skein of each colour is required. All Anchor threads are produced in accordance with Oeko-tex standards, with tested pH values and colour dye lots that adhere to Global fastness standards, making them safe and reliable for items intended for use around babies.

Notions and Tools

• 1 baby pouch (20 x 31 cm) – the base item onto which the embroidery is applied
• 1 tapestry needle, size No. 24 – a blunt-ended needle appropriate for cross stitch work

Pattern Format and Skill Level

The Friends Forever Pouch for Nappy Change pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF from Anchor, making it immediately accessible after download. It is rated at an intermediate difficulty level, suitable for embroiderers who are familiar with reading a colour