Pansy Flower Study in DMC - PAT0597 - Downloadable PDF

Pansy Flower Study Embroidery Pattern – Secret Garden Collection by DMC (PAT0597)

This free downloadable PDF embroidery pattern from DMC invites stitchers to recreate a beautifully detailed pansy flower study as part of the enchanting Secret Garden collection. Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, this design is ideal for embroiderers who are comfortable with foundational stitches and are ready to explore the nuanced art of shaded needlework. The finished design measures approximately 18 cm x 11.5 cm, making it a substantial and rewarding piece suitable for framing, hoop display, or incorporation into a larger textile project.

About the Design

The Pansy Flower Study captures the rich, velvety character of the pansy bloom in exquisite detail. Pansies are a classic subject in botanical embroidery, celebrated for their distinctive face-like markings, layered petals, and striking colour gradations. This pattern translates those qualities into a stitched artwork through careful colour placement and a sophisticated shading technique. The colour guide and technical chart included in the PDF provide a clear reference for positioning each shade across the petals, ensuring the finished piece reflects the natural depth and luminosity of a real pansy.

Techniques Used

The primary technique used throughout this pattern is long and short stitch, also known in French as passé empiétant. This is one of the most important and versatile techniques in surface embroidery, particularly well-suited to botanical and floral subjects.

• Long and short stitch involves alternating longer and shorter straight stitches in the first row, then filling subsequent rows with stitches of more uniform length that interlock with the previous row. This interlocking action creates seamless colour blending and smooth tonal transitions across a shape.
• The technique is especially effective for rendering the gradient shading seen in pansy petals, where colours shift gradually from deep purples and violets at the edges to softer yellows and oranges toward the centre.
• Working with 2 strands of thread throughout the design allows for fine detail and smooth coverage without the fabric becoming overly heavy or stiff.

Stitches Used

• Long and short stitch – the sole stitch specified in this pattern, used across all elements of the pansy design to build up layers of colour and create a painterly, realistic finish.

Materials Required

Thread

This pattern uses DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117, the brand's iconic six-strand divisible embroidery floss, which is widely regarded as the industry standard for surface embroidery. The pattern calls for 11 individual colours, each requiring 1 skein, worked using 2 strands throughout. The colour palette spans a sophisticated range that captures the full spectrum of pansy tones:

• DMC 727 – very light topaz (soft yellow)
• DMC 725 – medium light topaz (warm golden yellow)
• DMC 211 – light lavender
• DMC 210 – medium lavender
• DMC 209 – dark lavender
• DMC 208 – very dark lavender
• DMC 814 – dark garnet (deep wine red)
• DMC 3341 – apricot
• DMC 608 – bright orange
• DMC 794 – light cornflower blue
• DMC 158 – medium very dark cornflower blue

Together, these shades create the characteristic purple-violet petals with warm yellow-orange centres and deep contrasting markings that define the pansy's iconic appearance.

Needle

A size 12 embroidery needle is recommended, which is a fine needle well-suited to working with 2 strands of Mouliné floss on an even-weave or prepared fabric.

Fabric and Transfer Materials

The pattern recommends using a magic sheet in combination with a