Taste of Japan in DMC - PAT0140 - Downloadable PDF

Taste of Japan – DMC Sushi Girls Cross Stitch Pattern (Free Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable PDF from DMC brings a charming, Japan-inspired embroidery design to life through the timeless art of cross stitch. Titled Sushi Girls (Les jeunes filles aux sushis), the pattern features a playful, illustrative scene celebrating Japanese food culture and is perfectly suited to beginner embroiderers looking to build their skills with a fun and rewarding project.

About the Design

The Sushi Girls design is a colourful, whimsical composition depicting young women alongside sushi — a delightful fusion of character illustration and Japanese culinary imagery. The finished design measures 23.6 x 11 cm (9.29 x 4.23 inches) on standard cross stitch fabric, making it an ideal size for framing, mounting as wall art, or incorporating into a decorative hoop display. The design is presented as a coloured cross stitch chart, meaning the chart itself is printed in colour to make thread colour identification straightforward — a particularly helpful feature for those new to reading embroidery patterns.

Note: The final dimensions of your finished piece will vary depending on the count of the Aida fabric you select. A higher fabric count produces a smaller, more detailed result, while a lower count yields a larger, bolder design.

Techniques Used

This pattern incorporates three classic embroidery techniques, giving beginners an excellent introduction to the most commonly used stitches in cross stitch embroidery:

• Cross Stitch – The primary stitch used throughout the design. Each cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the centre, worked over the woven squares of Aida fabric. Cross stitch creates the solid blocks of colour that build up the overall image.
• Backstitch – Used to add outlines, fine details, and definition to the design. Backstitch creates clean, continuous lines and is typically worked after the cross stitch fill is complete. It brings crispness and clarity to character features, food details, and decorative elements.
• French Knot – A hand embroidery technique used to create small, raised dots of texture. French knots are formed by wrapping the thread around the needle before inserting it back into the fabric, producing a neat, rounded knot on the surface. They are commonly used for eyes, decorative accents, and fine detail work.

Stitches at a Glance

• Cross Stitch – fills colour areas across the design
• Backstitch – defines outlines and fine linear details
• French Knot – adds textural, raised accent points

Materials Required

The pattern calls for the following materials, all of which are standard cross stitch supplies:

• DMC Mouliné Spécial embroidery thread (117MC) – DMC's iconic six-strand cotton embroidery floss, available in a vast range of colours. Strands are separated and recombined to achieve the desired thread weight for each stitch type.
• Cross stitch fabric / Aida (Toile Aida) – The woven evenweave fabric used as the stitching ground. Aida is the most beginner-friendly cross stitch fabric, featuring clearly defined holes that guide needle placement.
• Cross stitch needle – A blunt-tipped tapestry needle sized appropriately for the chosen fabric count.
• Embroidery hoop – Listed as optional, a hoop helps keep the fabric taut and even during stitching, which is especially helpful for maintaining consistent stitch tension.
• Scissors – For trimming thread ends neatly.

Who Is This Pattern For?

Rated as a beginner level project, Sushi Girls is an approachable and enjoyable pattern for those who are new to cross stitch or embroidery. The coloured chart format removes much of the guesswork from thread selection, and the combination of cross stitch, backstitch, and French knots offers a gentle introduction to the three foundational techniques used across countless embroidery projects. The compact design size also means the project can be completed in a reasonable timeframe, making it a satisfying first finish for newer crafters.

Pattern Format