Full Moon in DMC - PAT0747 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Étoile Full Moon Embroidery Pattern (PAT0747) – Free Downloadable PDF

The DMC Étoile Full Moon pattern (PAT0747) is a free downloadable embroidery PDF from the DMC Library collection. It presents a beautifully detailed full moon motif — known in French as pleine lune — worked in counted or charted embroidery. This design is part of the Étoile series, which draws inspiration from celestial and astronomical themes, making it a striking decorative piece suitable for framing, hoop art, or incorporation into textile projects.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a full moon embroidery design, rendered with careful attention to tonal variation and texture to capture the luminous, crater-marked surface of the moon. The finished piece is ideal for display as standalone wall art in an embroidery hoop or frame, or as an embellishment on fabric items such as cushions, tote bags, or clothing. The celestial subject matter gives it broad decorative appeal for fans of astronomy, nature-inspired needlework, and contemporary embroidery art.

Techniques Used

This is an intermediate-level embroidery pattern, meaning it is best suited to stitchers who already have a foundational understanding of basic embroidery techniques and are comfortable following a colour-coded chart. The pattern is presented as a colour guide and technical chart, with each section of the design assigned a specific thread colour code (referenced as A1, A2, B3, C1, and D1 in the chart). Stitchers interpret these codes alongside the DMC thread colour guide to fill in the design area by area.

The charted format is consistent with cross stitch or counted embroidery methodology, where each symbol or colour block on the grid corresponds to a stitch placed on evenweave or Aida fabric. This structured approach allows for precise replication of the moon's subtle tonal gradations — from brighter, highlighted areas to deeper, shadowed regions — giving the finished piece a realistic, dimensional quality.

Stitches Used

While the PDF does not exhaustively list every stitch by name in the extracted content, the charted grid format is characteristic of cross stitch as the primary stitch. Cross stitch involves forming an X-shaped stitch over a set number of fabric threads, and when worked consistently across a design, it produces a smooth, tapestry-like surface. Intermediate-level DMC chart patterns of this style may also incorporate:

• Half cross stitches – used to soften edges or blend colour transitions
• Quarter stitches – for finer detail and curved outlines
• Back stitch – often used for outlining and adding definition to motif edges

The multiple colour codes (A1, A2, B3, C1, D1) suggest a carefully layered palette that creates the impression of light and shadow across the moon's surface, requiring the stitcher to manage several thread colours and transitions — a hallmark of intermediate difficulty.

Materials – Threads and Fabric

This pattern is designed for use with DMC embroidery threads, consistent with the broader DMC Library collection. DMC is renowned for its six-strand cotton embroidery floss, which can be separated into individual strands to achieve varying levels of coverage and detail. The colour guide references specific thread designations (A1, A2, B3, C1, D1), which correspond to DMC's extensive numbered colour range — stitchers should refer to the full colour key within the PDF to identify the exact DMC thread numbers required.

Suitable base fabrics for this type of charted embroidery typically include:

• Aida cloth – a popular, easy-to-count evenweave fabric available in counts such as 14-count or 18-count
• Evenweave linen or fabric – for a finer, more traditional finish

Standard embroidery tools include a blunt-tipped tapestry needle appropriate for the chosen fabric count, an embroidery hoop or frame to keep the fabric taut, and small scissors for thread management.

Pattern Format and Availability

The DMC Étoile Full Moon pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF