Enchanting Christmas - Toadstool Pair and Circle Sack in Anchor - Downloadable PDF

Enchanting Christmas Toadstool Pair and Circle Sack Embroidery Pattern by Anchor – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable PDF from Anchor Studio (Design No. 0060003-00709-07) contains instructions for creating two charming Christmas gift sacks decorated with hand embroidery. Both sacks share the same finished dimensions of 16 x 24.5 cm and are designed to be sewn from evenweave fabric and embellished with Anchor Stranded Cotton thread. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and makes a delightful handmade alternative to shop-bought gift bags for the festive season.

Design One: The Toadstool Pair Gift Sack

The first design features a whimsical toadstool pair motif, stitched centrally onto the front of the sack approximately 4.5 cm up from the bottom edge. The embroidered area measures 8.5 x 11 cm, making it a compact but detailed focal point on the finished bag.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – worked over 2 fabric threads in each direction using 3 strands of Anchor Stranded Cotton. Cross stitch is completed in two stages: the lower diagonal stitch is worked from left to right, and the upper diagonal stitch is worked from right to left, forming the characteristic X shape.
• Backstitch – worked from right to left using only 2 strands of Anchor Stranded Cotton, also over 2 fabric threads. Backstitch is always applied after the cross stitch is complete and is used to add fine outlines and detail to the motif.

Materials and Thread Colours

• Anchor Stranded Cotton 8m skeins in the following shades: #1, #44, #47, #49, #230, #239, #361, #381, #397, #1011
• Fabric: approximately 20 x 53 cm of 25-count evenweave fabric in natural white, cut into two rectangles each measuring 20 x 26.5 cm (including a 2 cm seam allowance)
• Needle: a No. 24 tapestry needle – tapestry needles are specifically recommended for cross stitch work as their blunt tip passes between fabric threads without splitting them
• Notions: matching sewing thread, 4 waggle eyes, and 1.50 m of red satin ribbon with white spots (15 mm wide)

Construction Overview

The raw edges of the fabric are first neatened with zigzag stitch before embroidery begins. Once the motif is complete, both fabric rectangles are placed right sides together and the side and bottom seams are stitched. Approximately 8 cm at the top edge is turned in, and a 1.5 cm wide channel is stitched 5 cm from the top edge to create a drawstring casing. The side seams at the channel ends are opened to allow the spotted satin ribbon to be threaded through and tied into bows. The waggle eyes are glued on as a final finishing touch, adding a playful, three-dimensional quality to the toadstool characters.

Design Two: The Circles Gift Sack

The second design in this pattern features a geometric circles motif, with an embroidered area measuring 9 x 11 cm on a finished sack of the same 16 x 24.5 cm dimensions as the first design. This pattern uses a more limited colour palette, giving it a clean and graphic festive aesthetic.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – worked with 3 strands of Anchor Stranded Cotton over 2 fabric threads in each direction, following the same two-stage technique as described for the Toadstool Pair design

Materials and Thread Colours

• Anchor Stranded Cotton 8m skeins in shades: #1 and #47
• The same 25-count natural white even