Party Time

Party Time Cross-Stitch Patterns by Mollie Johanson: A Complete Summary

This downloadable PDF from independent designer Mollie Johanson contains a collection of Party Time cross-stitch patterns designed to stitch up quickly and make ideal gifts or handmade cards. The designs are cheerful, celebratory, and approachable for beginner embroiderers, offering a fun introduction to counted cross-stitch with charming, character-driven imagery including party-themed motifs and balloons.

About the Craft: Counted Cross-Stitch

Counted cross-stitch is a form of embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are worked over a grid fabric following a numbered chart. Each square on the chart corresponds to one cross-stitch on the fabric, making it easy to follow even for those new to needlework. It is one of the most beginner-friendly embroidery techniques available, requiring minimal tools and producing satisfying, polished results in a short amount of time.

Designs Included in This PDF

Party Time Design

The Party Time chart is a 40 x 40 count design with a finished size of approximately 8.57 x 8.57 inches (dimensions will vary depending on fabric count). This design features a full range of colors and includes both cross-stitch and back-stitch elements. It is a complete, self-contained pattern suitable for framing, card-making, or gifting.

• DMC 310 – Black, used for outlines and detail back-stitching
• DMC 352 – Light Coral
• DMC 155 – Medium Blue Violet
• DMC 598 – Light Turquoise
• DMC 350 – Medium Coral
• DMC 3340 – Medium Apricot
• DMC 726 – Light Topaz Yellow
• DMC 703 – Chartreuse Green

Balloons Design

The Balloons chart is a 30 x 30 count design with a finished size of approximately 6.43 x 6.43 inches. This smaller design stitches up even more quickly than the Party Time chart, making it especially well-suited for greeting cards or small framed pieces. Like the Party Time design, it uses multiple DMC thread colors and incorporates both cross-stitch and back-stitch details.

Techniques Used

• Cross-stitch – The primary stitch throughout both patterns, formed by two diagonal stitches crossing to create an X shape over the fabric grid
• Back-stitch – Used for outlines and fine detail work, creating clean, defined edges around motifs
• Eye detailing technique – Mollie Johanson includes a specific tip for stitching character eyes: each eye cross-stitch is worked twice, effectively using six strands layered over the same area, so the eyes appear bold and expressive rather than like a standard X

Materials

Fabric

The patterns are designed with flexibility in mind. Aida cloth is recommended for beginners due to its clearly visible grid squares, which make it easy to count and place stitches accurately. Evenweave linen is offered as an alternative for a softer, more refined aesthetic. The sample shown in the PDF was stitched on 16-count Aida. The designer encourages stitchers to choose whatever fabric suits their preference, as there is no single correct option.

Thread

Both patterns use standard six-strand DMC embroidery floss. Unless working at an unusually large or small scale, Mollie Johanson recommends using three strands throughout — for both the cross-stitches and the back-stitching. The exception is the eye detail, where six strands (achieved by stitching over each cross-stitch twice) are used to create a bolder, more expressive look.

Needles

While not explicitly specified in the PDF, counted cross-stitch is