Avlea Folk Embroidery Balkan Diamond-And-Arrow - Downloadable PDF

Avlea Folk Embroidery Balkan Diamond-And-Arrow Square – Pattern Summary

What Is Being Made

This downloadable PDF pattern by Krista West of Avlea Folk Embroidery guides stitchers in creating an 18-1/2 inch square embroidered textile designed for use as a table setting piece. The finished design is a bold, eye-catching square featuring a diamond-and-arrow motif worked in jewel-tone colors — garnet, peacock blue, and bright coral — accented with black. The pattern draws inspiration from centuries of folk embroidery traditions spanning a wide geographic range, from Russia in the north to Crete in the south, reflecting the rich visual heritage of Balkan and broader Mediterranean needlework.

Design Inspiration and Style

The Balkan Diamond-and-Arrow design belongs to a family of geometric folk embroidery motifs found across Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. As noted in the pattern, the diamond-and-arrow combination is a recurring element in many regional folk embroidery traditions, and this interpretation demonstrates how a simple repeating border motif can create a striking and sophisticated finished piece. The jewel-tone color palette — DMC 815 garnet, DMC 806 peacock blue, DMC 349 coral, and DMC 310 black — gives the design a rich, traditional character that suits both decorative display and functional table use.

Techniques Used

This is a counted thread embroidery pattern, meaning the design is worked by counting threads on an evenweave or similar fabric rather than following a printed or transferred design. This technique is closely related to cross-stitch but is rooted in the older tradition of working directly on counted fabric grounds. The pattern notes that stitchers accustomed to working on Aida cloth will find counted thread fabric a slightly different experience, and guidance on using counted thread fabrics is included. The pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it accessible to those new to folk embroidery or counted thread work.

Stitches Used

As a counted thread folk embroidery pattern in the Avlea Folk Embroidery tradition, the design employs geometric stitches characteristic of Balkan and Mediterranean needlework. These typically include basic counted stitches worked over a set number of fabric threads to build up the diamond and arrow shapes. The structured, geometric nature of the motif means stitches are repeated in a consistent, rhythmic pattern — ideal for beginners learning to work with counted fabric grounds.

Materials Required

• Fabric: A 22 x 22 inch piece of counted thread fabric in the count of your choice; the pattern photographs show the design worked on 26ct Traditional Groundcloth from Avlea Folk Embroidery
• Embroidery floss (DMC):
  • DMC 310 black — 30 yards
  • DMC 349 coral — 28 yards
  • DMC 806 peacock blue — 12 yards
  • DMC 815 garnet — 30 yards
• Embroidery hoop for holding the fabric taut while stitching
• Sewing thread for finishing the hem of the completed piece

Finished Size and Format

The completed embroidery measures 18-1/2 inches square, making it a generous size suitable as a decorative table square or centerpiece. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, designed and published by Krista West under the Avlea Folk Embroidery brand, copyright 2017 Avlea. Finishing instructions and guidance on working with counted thread fabrics are included within the pattern.