You Are My Sunshine - PDF

You Are My Sunshine Cross Stitch Embroidery Pattern – KDS# 1428 by Kooler Design Studio

You Are My Sunshine is a charming counted cross stitch embroidery design created by Linda Gillum and published by Kooler Design Studio, Inc. under design number KDS# 1428. Released in 2012, this cheerful decorative piece is perfectly suited for beginner embroiderers looking to create a bright, sunshine-themed decoration. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for stitchers eager to get started.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished decorative embroidery piece ideal for home décor, framing, or gifting. With its warm, sunny theme suggested by the title You Are My Sunshine, the completed work makes a heartfelt decoration suitable for nurseries, living spaces, or as a handmade gift. The design is self-contained and charted for straightforward stitching from start to finish.

Design Specifications and Fabric

The design has a stitch count of 83 stitches wide by 87 stitches high. The pattern is intended to be stitched on 14 Count White Aida fabric, one of the most popular and beginner-friendly evenweave fabrics available. Aida cloth features a clear grid of holes that makes it easy to count and place stitches accurately, which is why it is so widely recommended for new embroiderers.

The finished design size varies depending on the count of fabric chosen:

• 10 Count Aida: approximately 8¼ inches wide × 8¾ inches high
• 14 Count Aida: approximately 5⅞ inches wide × 6¼ inches high
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 5¼ inches wide × 5⅜ inches high
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 4⅝ inches wide × 4¾ inches high

The pattern recommends adding 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow sufficient border for framing or finishing.

Techniques Used

This design incorporates several classic counted cross stitch techniques, making it an excellent project for beginners who want to build a well-rounded set of embroidery skills:

• Full Cross Stitches: The primary stitch used to fill in the main areas of the design, worked with 3 strands of embroidery floss for good coverage on 14 Count Aida.
• Quarter Stitches (¼ Stitches): Used to create smoother curves and more refined edges within the design, also worked with 3 strands of floss.
• Backstitch: Used for outlining, adding definition, and creating fine detail lines. The pattern calls for 1 or 2 strands of floss for backstitching, allowing for variation in line weight and visual emphasis.
• French Knots: Small, raised decorative knots worked with 1 strand of floss, used to add texture and fine detail accents to the composition.

Stitches at a Glance

• Full Cross Stitch – 3 strands of embroidery floss
• Quarter Stitch (¼ Stitch) – 3 strands of embroidery floss
• Backstitch – 1 to 2 strands of embroidery floss
• French Knot – 1 strand of embroidery floss

Materials Required

To complete this project, stitchers will need the following materials:

• Fabric: 14 Count White Aida (or alternative counts as listed above), cut with a 4–6 inch border allowance beyond the design dimensions
• Embroidery Floss: The pattern includes a full Floss and Symbol Listing within the PDF chart, specifying the exact thread colors required. Standard six-