Pansy Heads in DMC - PAT0598 - Downloadable PDF

Pansy Heads Embroidery Pattern – DMC Secret Garden Collection (PAT0598)

This free downloadable PDF embroidery pattern from DMC features a charming Pansy Heads design, part of the popular DMC Secret Garden collection. The finished design measures 17 cm x 7 cm and depicts a horizontal arrangement of beautifully rendered pansy flower heads in rich, blended colours. Rated as intermediate in difficulty, this pattern is ideal for embroiderers who are comfortable with foundational stitches and ready to explore more painterly shading techniques.

What Is Being Made

The project produces a detailed floral embroidery piece showcasing multiple pansy heads in full bloom. Pansies are a classic subject in botanical embroidery, known for their distinctive overlapping petals and striking colour gradations — from deep purples and violets through to soft lavenders, warm yellows, and vivid oranges. The design captures this natural complexity through careful thread colour selection and blending techniques, making it a rewarding piece for display, framing, or incorporation into a larger textile project.

Embroidery Techniques Used

• Long and Short Stitch (Passé Empiétant): This is the primary technique used throughout the design. Long and short stitch is a classic needle painting method where alternating long and short stitches are laid in rows, with subsequent rows interlocking into the previous ones. This creates smooth, seamless colour transitions and realistic shading — essential for capturing the subtle gradations of pansy petals. It is one of the most expressive stitches in surface embroidery and is widely used in botanical and fine art needlework.
• Satin Stitch (Passé Plat): Used as a secondary stitch (designated as code letter A in the pattern), satin stitch fills areas with smooth, closely packed parallel stitches that lie flat against the fabric. It produces a neat, lustrous finish and is typically used for smaller, more defined areas of the design where clean coverage and a polished appearance are required.

Stitches Used

• Long and Short Stitch – for shaded petal areas and colour blending (code letter B)
• Satin Stitch – for solid filled areas requiring a smooth, even surface (code letter A)

Materials and Thread Colours

The pattern is designed to be worked using DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 stranded cotton embroidery thread, worked with 2 strands throughout. A total of 12 thread colours are specified, each requiring 1 skein, giving a rich and varied palette that reflects the natural beauty of pansy blooms. The colours include:

• DMC 151 – soft pink
• DMC 3833 – light raspberry
• DMC 3831 – medium raspberry
• DMC 150 – deep pink
• DMC 814 – dark garnet
• DMC 745 – pale yellow
• DMC 742 – tangerine
• DMC 958 – sea green
• DMC 3747 – very light blue violet
• DMC 794 – light cornflower blue
• DMC 3807 – cornflower blue
• DMC 791 – very dark cornflower blue

This palette moves across a spectrum of purples, violets, blues, pinks, and warm yellows — faithfully reproducing the characteristic colouring of pansy varieties.

Needles and Fabric

The recommended needle is a No. 12 embroidery needle, which is a fine needle well suited to working with 2 strands of stranded cotton and achieving precise stitch placement. The pattern recommends using a DMC Magic Sheet in combination with a transfer pen and transfer paper to accurately transfer the pansy design onto the chosen fabric before stit