DMC X Eva Lechner - Strawberry Cheesecake Embroidery Pattern - PAT1753 - Downloadable PDF

DMC x Eva Lechner Strawberry Cheesecake Embroidery Pattern (PAT1753)

This free downloadable PDF embroidery pattern is a charming collaboration between DMC and designer Eva Lechner, featuring a beautifully detailed strawberry cheesecake design. Rated as advanced beginner level, this pattern is an ideal next step for embroiderers who have mastered the basics and are ready to explore a wider range of decorative stitches. The finished piece captures the delicious, layered look of a classic strawberry cheesecake through a rich palette of thread colors and a variety of hand embroidery techniques.

What You Will Make

The completed project is an embroidered illustration of a strawberry cheesecake, rendered in thread with fine detail and texture. The design uses a colour guide and technical diagram included in the PDF to help stitchers accurately place colors and stitches across the composition. The pattern is presented bilingually in English and French, reflecting the international reach of the DMC Library collection.

Stitches Used

This pattern introduces and combines multiple hand embroidery stitches, making it an excellent project for building a well-rounded skill set. The following stitches are used throughout the design:

• Backstitch — used for clean outlines and fine linear detail, creating crisp edges throughout the design
• Chain stitch — a looped stitch that adds texture and a slightly raised, decorative line quality
• French knot — a classic dimensional stitch used to create small, rounded dots of texture, ideal for seeds or decorative accents
• Long and short stitch — a shading technique where alternating long and short stitches are layered to create smooth color gradations and a painterly, realistic effect
• Cross stitch — formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the center, adding a traditional textile texture to certain areas
• Straight stitch — a simple, versatile stitch used for individual lines, small fills, and fine details

Each stitch type is assigned a code letter (A through F) on the technical chart, making it straightforward to follow which stitch belongs in each section of the design.

Techniques

The pattern employs color shading through long and short stitch, a technique commonly used in needle painting to mimic the gradual tonal transitions seen in realistic illustration. Combining this with the dimensional texture of French knots and the graphic clarity of backstitch outlines, the design achieves a layered, illustrative quality. Stitchers will also practice color placement using the included colour guide, which maps out a palette of 11 thread colors across the composition.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for the following materials:

• DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 embroidery floss — the pattern specifies 11 colors, each requiring one skein:
  • 666 (bright red), 445 (light yellow), 564 (light seafoam green), 505 (green), 3834 (dark grape), 211 (light lavender), 938 (ultra dark coffee brown), 839 (dark beige brown), 436 (tan), 647 (medium beaver grey), 3865 (winter white)
• Embroidery needle No. 12 — a fine needle suited to detailed work on fabric
• Fabric — the pattern references a suitable embroidery fabric or base cloth
• Magic sheet or transfer pen — used to transfer the design onto the fabric before stitching begins

Pattern Format and Accessibility

The DMC x Eva Lechner Strawberry Cheesecake pattern (PAT1753) is available as a free downloadable PDF from the DMC Library. It includes a full colour guide, a technical stitch diagram, and written instructions in both English and French. The pattern is part