Leafy Wreath in DMC - PAT0715 - Downloadable PDF

Leafy Wreath Cross Stitch Pattern by DMC – PAT0715

The Leafy Wreath (also known as Couronne de Feuilles in French) is a beautiful free downloadable cross stitch pattern from the DMC Library. This charming design features a circular wreath composed of layered, overlapping leaves rendered in a soft, natural colour palette. It makes an elegant decorative piece suitable for framing, hoop art, or as an embellishment on home textiles and accessories. The finished motif has a timeless botanical aesthetic that suits a wide range of interior styles.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a leafy wreath motif worked in coloured cross stitch. The circular wreath composition is a classic embroidery design that creates a full, lush arrangement of foliage. It is ideal for display as framed needlework or mounted in an embroidery hoop. The design is presented as a coloured cross stitch chart (diagramme point de croix en couleurs), making it straightforward to follow even for those building their confidence with charted embroidery.

Techniques Used

• Full cross stitch – the primary technique used throughout the wreath design, creating solid, even coverage of the leaf shapes
• Quarter cross stitch (1/4 stitch) – indicated on the chart to refine curved edges and add detail to the leaf outlines, giving the wreath a smoother, more organic silhouette

Cross stitch is one of the oldest and most widely practised forms of counted embroidery. It is worked on evenweave or Aida fabric by forming small X-shaped stitches over a counted grid. Quarter stitches are partial stitches that occupy only one corner of a full cross stitch square, allowing the embroiderer to capture finer curves and details that full stitches alone cannot achieve. The combination of full and quarter stitches in this design gives the leaves a naturalistic, flowing quality.

Stitches Used

• Full cross stitch – the foundational stitch of the pattern
• Quarter cross stitch (1/4 stitch) – used for refined detailing along leaf edges and curves

Materials Required

This pattern is designed to be stitched using DMC Mouliné Spécial Embroidery Thread (117MC), the brand's iconic six-strand divisible cotton embroidery floss. The following specific DMC thread colours are called for in the chart:

• Ecru – a warm off-white used for highlights or background leaf tones
• DMC 369 – a very light pistachio green
• DMC 368 – a light pistachio green, adding mid-tone depth to the foliage
• DMC 3354 – a soft dusty rose, introducing a subtle accent tone within the wreath

The restrained, harmonious colour palette of greens, neutrals, and a gentle blush gives the Leafy Wreath its understated elegance. DMC Mouliné Spécial thread is widely available and colourfast, making it an excellent choice for heirloom-quality needlework. The pattern is worked on evenweave or Aida fabric (fabric count not specified in the chart); a tapestry needle appropriate to the chosen fabric count is recommended.

Pattern Format and Difficulty

The Leafy Wreath – PAT0715 is available as a free downloadable PDF from the DMC Library. It is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to embroiderers who are comfortable reading a counted chart and working with multiple thread colours. The inclusion of quarter stitches adds a small degree of additional technique, but the overall design remains approachable for anyone who has completed beginner cross stitch projects and is ready to develop their skills further.