DMC Wild Bouquet - PAT1520S - Downloadable PDF

DMC Wild Bouquet Cross Stitch Pattern (PAT1520S) – Free Downloadable PDF

The DMC Wild Bouquet pattern (PAT1520S) is a free downloadable PDF cross stitch design from DMC, one of the world's most trusted names in embroidery. Titled Bouquet Sauvage in French, this charming design depicts a colourful wild flower bouquet rendered in full cross stitch with backstitch detail. It is rated as an intermediate level project, making it an ideal step up for stitchers who are comfortable with the basics and ready to work with a multi-colour palette and finer finishing techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a decorative wild bouquet embroidery worked on Aida fabric. The design measures 16.36 cm × 15.45 cm (6.44″ × 6.08″) when stitched on the recommended 14-count Aida fabric. This size makes it well suited for framing, mounting in an embroidery hoop display, or incorporating into a handmade gift or home décor project. The design is presented as a coloured cross stitch chart with backstitch, and a separate black-and-white symbol chart is also included in the PDF for ease of reference under different lighting conditions.

Techniques Used

• Cross Stitch: The primary technique used throughout the design. Each cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the centre, worked over one square of Aida fabric. Cross stitch creates the solid areas of colour that build up the bouquet's petals, leaves, and stems.
• Backstitch: Used as an outlining and detail technique to define edges, add fine lines, and bring crispness to the floral forms. Backstitch is worked in a continuous line, with the needle re-entering the fabric at the end of the previous stitch, creating a neat, unbroken outline.

The combination of cross stitch and backstitch is a classic pairing in counted embroidery. The cross stitch fills in the broad shapes and colour blocks of the bouquet, while the backstitch adds the refined detail that gives the design its illustrative, botanical character. Intermediate stitchers will find the backstitch elements a satisfying challenge that elevates the finished result.

Stitches Used

• Cross Stitch (Point de Croix) – full cross stitches forming the main body of the design
• Backstitch (Point Arrière) – used for outlines and fine detailing across the bouquet

Colours Used

The pattern calls for six DMC Mouliné Spécial thread colours, each requiring one skein. The specific colour numbers referenced in the PDF are:

• DMC 798
• DMC 797
• DMC 352
• DMC 606
• DMC 30
• DMC 319
• DMC 3362
• DMC 817
• DMC 502

This palette spans a range of tones to capture the natural variety of a wild bouquet, including rich greens for foliage and vibrant accent shades for the blooms. Only one skein of each colour is required, keeping materials costs minimal.

Materials Required

• Thread: DMC Mouliné Spécial Art. 117 MC – the world's most widely used stranded cotton embroidery thread, known for its consistent colour, smooth twist, and extensive colour range. Each colour is listed with a quantity of one skein.
• Fabric: Aida cross stitch fabric – the PDF recommends 14-count Aida as the standard choice, particularly suitable for intermediate stitchers. The design size stated in the pattern is based on this count. Higher count Aida will produce a smaller finished design.
• Needle: A cross stitch needle (also known as a tapestry needle) with a blunt