Anchor Pumpkin Bookmark - ANC0003-93 - Downloadable PDF

Anchor Pumpkin Bookmark – ANC0003-93 by Arorua: Embroidered Felt Bookmark Pattern

This downloadable PDF embroidery pattern, design number ANC0003-93, is published by Anchor (MEZ Needlecraft GmbH) and designed by Arorua. It guides you through creating a charming pumpkin-themed bookmark worked in hand embroidery on felt, finished to a size of approximately 16 × 7.5 cm. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a wonderful project for embroiderers who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to explore a slightly more detailed composition. Because it is a free downloadable PDF, it is an accessible introduction to Anchor threads and felt-based embroidery projects.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a pumpkin bookmark — a decorative, hand-embroidered bookmark designed to sit neatly inside a book. The design features an embroidered pumpkin motif with stems, worked onto felt pieces that are layered and assembled with a paperboard insert for structure. The compact finished dimensions of 16 × 7.5 cm make it an ideal quick gift or personal accessory. The pattern notes that while felt is the recommended base fabric, other fabric types can be substituted according to the maker's preference.

Materials Used

• Anchor Stranded Cotton (8m skeins) — the primary embroidery thread, referenced in the pattern with colour codes preceded by the # symbol. Colours used include #00307, #00308, #00309, #00267, #00277, #00281, #00280, #00943, #00340, and #00387, offering a rich autumnal palette of oranges, greens, and neutrals perfectly suited to a pumpkin design.
• Anchor Pearl Cotton No. 7 — a twisted, lustrous thread used as an accent. The specific colour referenced is #00267 and #00308, adding texture and sheen to select areas of the design.
• Felt — the base fabric, cut into two sizes: two pieces at 6.5 × 14 cm (the embroidery ground) and two pieces at 7.5 × 16.5 cm (the outer layer).
• Paperboard — used as an internal stiffener to give the bookmark its body and durability.
• Sewing thread — for assembling the felt layers together.
• Scissors — for cutting felt and threads.

Techniques Used

The construction of this bookmark combines hand embroidery with simple felt craft and assembly. The embroidery is worked directly onto the smaller felt pieces before the bookmark is assembled. The pattern includes guidance on transferring the design onto felt, which can be a slightly trickier process than on woven fabric, and tips are provided within the PDF to assist with this step.

The assembly process involves layering the embroidered felt over the paperboard insert and the backing felt piece, then securing everything together with sewing thread. This combination of embroidery and simple construction makes the project an excellent way to practise finishing and presentation skills alongside needlework.

Stitches Used

The pattern references a sketch within the PDF that maps out which stitches are used in each area of the design, along with the number of strands of Anchor Stranded Cotton to use in each section. Stitches referenced in the instructions include:

• Whipped stitch — specifically mentioned for embroidering the pumpkin stems, creating a neat, rope-like line with added dimension.

Additional stitches are indicated on the pattern sketch within the PDF. The use of Anchor Stranded Cotton allows the embroiderer to split the six-strand thread and use varying numbers of strands to achieve different weights of line and fill, adding subtlety and dimension to the finished pumpkin motif. The Anchor Pearl Cotton No. 7 is used as a single twisted thread, contributing a contrasting texture to the stranded cotton areas.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated intermediate, this pattern is best suited to embroiderers who are