DMC Botanical Poppies - PAT1381 - Downloadable PDF

DMC Botanical Poppies Cross Stitch Pattern (PAT1381) – Free Downloadable PDF

The DMC Botanical Poppies pattern (PAT1381) is a free downloadable PDF cross stitch chart from DMC, one of the world's most trusted names in embroidery. Titled Pavots – Planche Botanique in French, this design presents poppies in the style of a classic botanical illustration — a timeless aesthetic that translates beautifully into the precision of counted cross stitch. The finished piece captures the delicate detail and rich colour palette associated with traditional botanical artwork, making it a rewarding project for embroiderers who appreciate nature-inspired needlework.

What Is Being Made

Stitchers following this pattern will create a botanical poppy illustration rendered entirely in coloured cross stitch. The design draws on the long tradition of botanical illustration, reinterpreting it through the medium of embroidery to produce a piece suitable for framing or display. The dual French and English titling reflects DMC's international reach and the universal appeal of botanical embroidery as a decorative art form.

Techniques Used

This is a counted cross stitch project, meaning stitchers work directly from a printed or on-screen chart, counting threads on their fabric to place each stitch accurately. Counted cross stitch is one of the most popular forms of embroidery worldwide, valued for its structured approach and the satisfying, pixelated quality of the finished image. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to embroiderers who are comfortable with basic cross stitch and ready to tackle a more complex, multi-colour design. Beginners who have completed a few smaller projects will find this an excellent next step.

• Counted cross stitch – the primary and sole technique indicated in the chart
• Working from a coloured chart – the PDF provides a full-colour diagramme, allowing stitchers to match thread colours visually as well as by number
• Multi-colour thread management – the design uses a range of DMC thread shades, requiring careful organisation and colour changes throughout the project

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – the foundational stitch of the entire design, formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the centre to create an X shape on the fabric

Cross stitch is worked on an evenweave or Aida fabric where each X occupies one counted square of the grid. The regularity of the stitch allows complex pictorial designs — such as this botanical poppy composition — to be built up colour by colour, shade by shade, until the full image emerges.

Materials Required

The pattern specifies DMC Six Strand Embroidery Floss, Art. 117 (also known as DMC Mouliné Spécial 25) as the required thread. This is DMC's classic six-strand cotton embroidery floss, which can be separated into individual strands to achieve different weights of coverage depending on the fabric count being used. The following DMC thread colours are called for in the chart:

• DMC 606 – bright orange-red
• DMC 967 – light apricot
• DMC 310 – black (used multiple times across the design)
• DMC 814 – dark garnet
• DMC 561 – very dark jade
• DMC 223 – light shell pink
• DMC 703 – chartreuse (used in multiple areas)
• DMC 666 – bright red
• DMC 15 – dark red

In addition to embroidery floss, stitchers will need an embroidery needle appropriate for cross stitch — typically a blunt-tipped tapestry needle in a size suited to the fabric count chosen. An embroidery hoop or frame is recommended to keep the fabric taut and stitches even throughout the project. The specific fabric (such as Aida or evenweave linen) and its thread count are selected by the stitcher based on the desired finished size of the piece.

Pattern Format and Availability