5TH Avenue - Dragon Fly Top in Anchor - Downloadable PDF

5th Avenue Dragonfly Top and Clutch – Anchor Embroidery Pattern (Free Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Anchor (Design No. 0022174-00000-07), released under the 5th Avenue collection and designed by AnchorCrafts.com, guides embroiderers through adding a beautiful nature-inspired dragonfly motif to two separate projects: a wearable top and a clutch bag. Rated as an Easy project, this pattern is accessible to beginners while still offering satisfying results for intermediate embroiderers looking to personalise ready-made garments and accessories.

What Is Being Made

The pattern covers two distinct projects that share the same dragonfly cross stitch design:

• Dragonfly Top: A garment embellished with a cross-stitched dragonfly motif, positioned centrally approximately 5cm from the neckline on the front of the top.
• Dragonfly Clutch Bag: A clutch bag decorated with the same dragonfly motif, which is first stitched onto a piece of felt and then applied to the bag using either slip stitch or fusible fabric.

The finished dragonfly motif measures 13.4 cm x 14 cm, making it a substantial and eye-catching centrepiece on both the top and the clutch.

Techniques Used

Cross Stitch on Waste Canvas

The primary technique throughout this pattern is cross stitch worked over waste canvas. Waste canvas is a temporary, water-soluble or removable grid fabric that is tacked onto the base material — in this case, the top or a piece of felt — to provide an even stitching grid. Once the embroidery is complete, the waste canvas threads are carefully removed, leaving only the cross stitch design on the fabric beneath. This technique allows embroiderers to work counted cross stitch on materials that do not have a natural even-weave grid, such as jersey tops or clutch bag fabrics.

Felt Appliqué (for the Clutch)

For the clutch bag project, an additional technique is introduced: the dragonfly motif is first stitched onto a piece of felt chosen to closely match the colour of the bag. Once the cross stitch is complete and the waste canvas removed, the felt is cut out with a 3mm allowance around the motif and then attached to the clutch. The pattern offers two finishing options — securing with slip stitch around the edge or using a fusible fabric to iron the motif into place. This appliqué approach gives the clutch a neat, professional finish.

Tacking

Both projects require the use of tacking thread to temporarily secure the waste canvas in the correct position before stitching begins. This is a standard preparatory technique in embroidery that ensures the canvas does not shift during stitching.

Stitches Used

• Cross Stitch: The sole embroidery stitch used to create the dragonfly motif. Each cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the centre, worked systematically over the waste canvas grid to build up the design.
• Slip Stitch: Used as one of the finishing options to attach the felt appliqué motif to the clutch bag, creating an invisible or near-invisible seam around the edge of the felt piece.

Materials Referenced

Thread

The pattern specifies Anchor Mouliné Stranded Cotton, Art. No. 4635000, with one skein of each shade listed required to complete the dragonfly motif. Anchor Mouliné is a high-quality, six-strand divisible embroidery thread, allowing stitchers to adjust the number of strands used for different weights of coverage. All Anchor threads are produced in accordance with Oeko-tex standards, with tested pH values and colour fastness that adheres to global standards — making them safe and reliable for use on wearable garments.

Additional Materials

• Waste canvas — cut to size for both the top and clutch projects
• Felt — selected to closely match the clutch