Life Is Tough But So Are You in DMC - PAT0445 - Downloadable PDF

Life Is Tough But So Are You – DMC Embroidery Pattern (PAT0445)

This free downloadable PDF embroidery pattern from DMC is part of their Positive Sayings collection, featuring the uplifting phrase "Life Is Tough But So Are You" (also presented in French as "La vie n'est pas simple, mais tu es la meilleure"). The finished design measures approximately 13.9 cm x 14 cm, making it a beautifully compact piece ideal for framing, hoop art, or incorporating into a handmade gift. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well-suited to embroiderers who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to explore more painterly shading techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a hand-embroidered positive affirmation design combining decorative lettering and illustrative elements worked in a rich palette of seven colours. The motivational text is the focal point of the composition, rendered in expressive stitchwork that gives the piece a lively, modern feel. The bilingual nature of the pattern — offered in both English and French — reflects DMC's international heritage and makes this design accessible to a wide global audience of needleworkers.

Techniques Used

• Backstitch (Point arrière) – Used for outlines, lettering, and fine detail work. Backstitch creates a continuous, smooth line that is ideal for defining the edges of shapes and rendering crisp text in embroidery.
• Long and Short Stitch (Passé empiétant) – A classic shading technique where alternating long and short stitches are interlocked across rows to create seamless colour blending and a painterly gradient effect. This technique adds depth and dimension to filled areas of the design.

Stitches Used

• Backstitch – Designated by stitch code letters A, B, and C in the technical chart, indicating it is used across multiple colour areas of the design.
• Long and Short Stitch – Designated by stitch code letter D, used for filled or shaded sections requiring smooth colour transitions.

Colours and Thread

The pattern uses seven colours of DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 stranded cotton embroidery floss, worked with 4 strands throughout. The specific DMC thread colours called for are:

• DMC 826 – 1 skein
• DMC 827 – 1 skein
• DMC 963 – 1 skein
• DMC 956 – 1 skein
• DMC 957 – 1 skein
• DMC 727 – 1 skein
• DMC 803 – 1 skein

This palette blends soft blues, pinks, and warm tones to create a cheerful and harmonious colour scheme perfectly suited to the uplifting sentiment of the design.

Materials and Tools

• Needle: No. 12 embroidery needle
• Fabric: The pattern recommends using a Magic Sheet together with a transfer pen and transfer paper to transfer the design accurately onto your chosen fabric. This approach makes it straightforward to position the design precisely before you begin stitching.
• Thread: DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 stranded cotton, using 4 strands throughout, with one skein of each of the seven listed colours required for the stated design size.

Pattern Format and Availability

This is a free downloadable PDF pattern published by the DMC Library (Bibliothèque DMC), © DMC 2017. The PDF includes a full colour guide, a technical chart, and a complete tool kit and materials list in both English and French. Embroiderers are encouraged to share their finished makes using the hashtag #dmcthre