5TH Avenue - Bee Shirt in Anchor - Downloadable PDF

5TH Avenue Bee Shirt Embroidery Pattern by Anchor – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable PDF embroidery pattern from Anchor (Design No. 0022174-00000-04) guides crafters through adding a charming bee motif to a shirt, specifically placed on each cuff and collar. Designed for beginner embroiderers, this project is a wonderful introduction to freestyle embroidery on ready-made garments, combining just a handful of classic hand embroidery stitches to create a delightful decorative accent.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a hand-embroidered bee design applied directly onto a shirt. The bee motif is small — approximately 2 cm x 3 cm — and is repeated on each cuff and collar of the garment. The design features the bee's wings, legs, antennae, eyes, body, head, and tail, each rendered in a specific stitch for a neat, polished result. The overall aesthetic is described as a discreet touch, making it a subtle and elegant embellishment rather than a bold statement piece.

Embroidery Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern introduces three foundational hand embroidery stitches, making it an ideal project for those new to the craft:

• Split Stitch – Used for the bee's wings, legs, and antennae. Split stitch creates a smooth, rope-like line that follows curves beautifully, making it perfect for the delicate outlines of these fine details.
• French Knots – Used for the bee's eyes. French knots are small, raised knots formed by wrapping the thread around the needle before inserting it back into the fabric, creating a neat textured dot.
• Satin Stitch – Used for the bee's body, head, and tail. Satin stitch involves laying parallel straight stitches closely together to fill a shape with smooth, solid colour, giving these areas a clean and lustrous finish.

Materials and Threads

The pattern is designed to be worked entirely with Anchor Mouliné Stranded Cotton (Art. No. 4635000), using one skein of each shade listed. Anchor Mouliné is a high-quality six-strand divisible embroidery floss, and all threads are produced in accordance with Oeko-Tex standards with tested pH values and Global fastness standards. The following Anchor thread shades are specified:

• Shade 00304
• Shade 09159
• Shade 01090
• Shade 00403

Tools and Equipment

In addition to the thread and garment, the following tools are recommended:

• Milward embroidery needle, size 9 – specified for use with this project
• Embroidery hoop – recommended wherever possible to keep the fabric taut and stitches even
• Dressmaker's carbon paper – used to trace the bee design onto the garment in the correct position

Fabric and Garment Guidance

The pattern is designed to be embroidered onto a shirt, with the bee motif placed on each cuff and collar as indicated in the placement diagram included in the PDF. However, Anchor notes that the garment is a suggestion and the design can be transferred to any garment of your choice. When selecting a fabric, it is advised to avoid sheer, satin, silk, open weave, or open knit fabrics for best results. The pattern pieces printed in the PDF are provided at the correct size for direct tracing, simplifying the transfer process for beginners.

Washing and Care

Because Anchor Mouliné threads — particularly darker shades — may retain excess dye, the pattern recommends washing embroidered items at the hottest temperature suitable for the fabric, using a large amount of water, to minimise any potential colour bleeding. Always follow both the thread washing instructions and the specific care instructions for the chosen gar