Avlea Folk Embroidery Pella Pouli - Downloadable PDF

Avlea Folk Embroidery Pella Pouli – Downloadable PDF Pattern by Krista West

About This Embroidery Design

The Pella Pouli embroidery pattern is an original design by Krista West of Avlea Folk Embroidery, rooted in the tradition of Mediterranean folk embroidery. The name and visual vocabulary of the design draw on the charming, stylized imagery found in regional folk art traditions. At the heart of the composition, two cheerful little birds flank a central stylized flower, all anchored by a bold decorative border featuring diamonds and tulips. The finished embroidery measures 7-1/4 inches wide by 6-1/2 inches tall with a stitch count of 97 x 85 stitches.

The color palette is rich and warm, combining shades of turquoise, teal, and red with highlights of golden olive and soft green. This combination gives the piece a vibrant, folk-inspired character that feels both traditional and fresh. The design is versatile by nature — the pattern notes that individual elements can be used separately, making it suitable for a wide range of finished projects.

What You Can Make

This pattern is well suited to a variety of finished projects, including:

• Framed embroidery – displayed as wall art in a standard frame
• Wall hanging – finished with hanging hardware for a decorative textile display
• Pillow – finishing instructions are included in the downloadable PDF
• Tote bag accent – the border element of diamonds and tulips can be used independently as a decorative band
• Children's garment embellishment – the bird motifs can be stitched separately onto clothing or accessories

The modular nature of the design makes it especially appealing for embroiderers who want flexibility in how they use the motifs.

Techniques Used

This is a counted thread embroidery pattern, meaning the stitches are placed by counting threads in the fabric rather than following a printed or stamped design. This approach is similar in method to counted cross-stitch on Aida cloth, but worked on a finer counted thread fabric. On counted thread fabrics such as the Traditional groundcloth referenced by Avlea Folk Embroidery, two threads of the fabric equal one square of Aida cloth, giving the stitcher precise control over placement and scale.

Counted thread embroidery is a highly meditative craft. As noted in the pattern itself, embroidering has been shown to release dopamine, support fine motor control, and may help prevent cognitive decline — making it as beneficial as it is beautiful. Stitchers are encouraged to take their work out of the hoop between sessions and store it in a cotton bag to protect the fabric and thread.

Stitches Used

The pattern is worked using cross-stitch as the primary stitch, executed on counted thread fabric. The counted thread method requires careful attention to consistent stitch direction for a neat, professional finish. The pattern includes guidance on how to work the first section of each cross-stitch correctly, making it accessible even for those transitioning from Aida cloth to counted thread fabric for the first time.

Materials Required

The following materials are needed to complete the Pella Pouli embroidery pattern:

• Fabric: One piece of 26-count counted thread fabric, cut to 13 x 14 inches
• Thread: DMC Floss in the following colors and quantities:
  • 3 yards 347 (coral)
  • 2 yards 3012 (light green)
  • 1 yard 469 (avocado)
  • 3 yards 832 (golden olive)
  • 7 yards 924 (teal)
  • 1 yard 224 (shell pink)
  • 3 yards 598 (turquoise)
  • 2 yards 815 (garnet)