Cherries in DMC - PAT0504 - Downloadable PDF

Cherries Embroidery Pattern by Jodie Ruffle x DMC (PAT0504) – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable embroidery pattern is the result of a creative collaboration between designer Jodie Ruffle and DMC, one of the world's most trusted names in embroidery thread. Simply titled Cherries (or Cerises in French), this design offers a charming botanical motif that is perfect for stitchers looking to develop their needle painting and shading skills. Rated as intermediate in difficulty, it provides a satisfying challenge for those who have moved beyond basic embroidery but are not yet working at an advanced level.

What Is Being Made

The pattern guides you through stitching a decorative cherries motif, a classic and timeless subject in embroidery. The finished piece features richly coloured cherry fruits with naturalistic shading, making it suitable for framing, mounting onto fabric accessories, or incorporating into a larger textile project. The bilingual instructions (English and French) reflect DMC's international reach and make this pattern accessible to a wide audience.

Techniques Used

• Long and Short Stitch (Passé empiétant) – This is the primary shading technique used throughout the design. Long and short stitch involves alternating longer and shorter stitches in interlocking rows, allowing colours to blend seamlessly into one another. It is the foundation of realistic needle painting and is ideal for rendering the smooth, rounded surface of cherry fruits.
• Backstitch (Point arrière) – Used for outlining and adding fine linear detail such as stems or defining edges. Backstitch creates a clean, continuous line and is one of the most versatile stitches in surface embroidery.

Stitches Used

• Long and Short Stitch – for filling and shading the main body of the cherries and foliage
• Backstitch – for outlines and detail work

Colour Guide and Thread References

The pattern includes a detailed colour guide with labelled diagram references. The colour positions are mapped using codes such as A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and B7, B8, B9, which correspond to specific DMC stranded cotton thread shades. These references allow stitchers to select the precise DMC colours needed to achieve the layered, lifelike shading that defines this design. The number of strands to use is also specified within the instructions, which is important for controlling the texture and coverage of each stitch.

Materials

• Thread: DMC stranded cotton embroidery floss in the shades referenced within the colour guide
• Needle: A standard embroidery needle appropriate for the number of strands specified in the instructions
• Fabric: An evenweave or plain-weave embroidery fabric suitable for surface embroidery techniques

Pattern Format and Availability

This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF directly from DMC. It includes a colour diagram, a technical chart, and step-by-step instructions across multiple pages. As part of the DMC Library collection, it represents DMC's ongoing commitment to making quality embroidery education accessible to crafters worldwide. Stitchers are encouraged to share their finished pieces using the hashtag #dmcthreads across social media platforms including Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.