Whimsical Halloween Ghost Free Embroidery Pattern: Tutorial + Thread Guide

Looking for a charming Halloween project that’s equal parts -- spooky and sweet? This embroidery pattern featuring a smiling ghost peeking from behind pumpkins and a stack of books is perfect for cozy autumn stitching. Whether you're a seasoned embroiderer or just starting out, this guide will walk you through everything you need to bring this delightful design to life.

 Thread Color Suggestions:

To capture the warm, vintage charm of the illustration, here are recommended DMC thread colors:

DMC Thread Color Suggestions

Adjust colors to match your personal palette or floss stash!

Stitch Guide:

Here’s a breakdown of stitches to use for each part of the design:

Ghost Body: Long and short stitch for soft shading and texture.

Ghost Face: Satin stitch for the eyes and cheeks; backstitch for the smile.

Pumpkins: Split stitch for outlines; satin stitch for filling the body.

Pumpkin Stems: Stem stitch for a natural, twisted look.

Books: Satin stitch for covers; backstitch for page edges and outlines.

How to Embroider This Pattern: Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Prepare Your Materials

- Fabric: Linen or cotton in a warm beige or neutral tone.

- Embroidery hoop (6–8 inch recommended).

- Embroidery floss (see color guide above).

- Needle: Size 7 or 8 embroidery needle.

- Water-soluble pen or transfer paper.

2. Transfer the Pattern

Print the pattern and use your preferred method to transfer it onto your fabric. A lightbox or window tracing works well.

3. Start with the Ghost

Use long and short stitches to fill in the ghost’s body with DMC 3865. Add subtle shading with DMC 3024 around the edges. Stitch the eyes and smile with black floss, and add rosy cheeks with DMC 761 using satin stitch.

4. Embroider the Pumpkins

Outline each pumpkin with split stitch using DMC 921 and 922. Fill in the segments with satin stitch, following the natural grooves. Use DMC 938 for the stems with stem stitch.

5. Stitch the Books

Use satin stitch to fill in each book cover with DMC 400, 3778, and 3799. Outline the pages with backstitch using DMC 3866. Add subtle shading with a single strand of gray if desired.

6. Finishing Touches

Once stitching is complete, gently wash away any transfer lines. Press your piece from the back using a pressing cloth to avoid flattening the stitches.

Display Ideas:

- Frame it in a rustic hoop for seasonal wall decor.

- Turn it into a patch for a Halloween tote bag.

- Incorporate it into a quilted wall hanging or pillow.

Final Thoughts

This embroidery pattern is a cozy celebration of Halloween whimsy. With its friendly ghost and autumnal elements, it’s sure to bring a smile to anyone who sees it. Happy stitching—and may your thread never tangle!

---Flora

Robin on a Branch – Free Embroidery Pattern with Stitch Guide & Thread Color Tips

 

Bring a breath of woodland charm to your embroidery with this delightful **Robin on a Branch** pattern! This design captures a serene robin perched gracefully among maple leaves—perfect for beginners and seasoned stitchers alike who love nature-inspired projects.

What You’ll Need:

 

Embroidery hoop (6" recommended)

Embroidery floss (see color suggestions below)

Embroidery needle

Fabric (linen or cotton)

Pattern transfer tools (carbon paper, iron-on pen, or lightbox)

Scissors

Embroidery stand (optional)

 

Thread Color Suggestions:

 

DMC Thread Color Suggestions:

 

347 – Very Dark Salmon (for the robin's red breast)

606 – Bright Orange-Red (optional variation for a brighter breast)

3031 – Mocha Brown (for the back and shading of the body)

3799 – Very Dark Gray (for wings and tail)

844 – Brown Gray (for feather texture)

3865 – Winter White (for the underbelly and eye highlight)

310 – Black (for the eye)

783 – Topaz (for the beak)

435 – Light Brown (alternative for a warmer beak tone)

740 – Bright Autumn Gold

921 – Deep Burnt Orange

817 – Rustic Brick Red

801 – Rich Walnut Brown

838 – Brown (for the branch)

898 – Dark Coffee Brown (for bark texture or shading)

 

Anchor Thread Color Suggestions (DMC Equivalents):

 

38 – Red (equivalent to DMC 347)

333 – Bright Orange (equivalent to DMC 606)

382 – Dark Mocha Brown (equivalent to DMC 3031)

236 – Charcoal Gray (equivalent to DMC 3799)

400 – Brown Gray (equivalent to DMC 844)

2 – White (equivalent to DMC 3865)

403 – Black (equivalent to DMC 310)

306 – Topaz (equivalent to DMC 783)

372 – Light Brown (equivalent to DMC 435)

295 – Vibrant, golden tone reminiscent of bright fall highlights (equivalent to DMC 740)

326  – Warm, deep orange with a touch of softness (equivalent to DMC 921)

315 – Rich brick red that brings warmth and depth (equivalent to DMC 817)

356  –  Deep brown to anchor the palette and add natural contrast (equivalent to DMC 801)

359 – Brown (equivalent to DMC 838)

358 – Coffee Brown (equivalent to DMC 898)

Stitch Guide:

 

1. Robin’s Body:

 

Outline: Back Stitch or Split Stitch

Filling: Satin Stitch or Long & Short Stitch for a smooth, shaded effect.

 

2. Wings and Tail Feathers:

 

Use Fishbone Stitch or Long & Short Stitch for the feathers.

Add some subtle texture with Straight Stitch or Stem Stitch for feather lines.

 

3. Eye and Beak:

 

Eye: Satin Stitch or French Knot (with a small white dot for shine)

Beak: Satin Stitch

 

4. Branch:

 

Outline: Stem Stitch

Bark Texture: Split Stitch or tiny Straight Stitches

 

5. Leaves: 

Outline: Stem Stitch or Split Stitch

Filling: Fishbone Stitch or Satin Stitch

Use Back Stitch for the central vein and smaller veins.

 

 Tips:

 

* Use a light gray or cream background fabric for contrast.

* For added realism, blend two floss colors for the robin’s feathers.

* Add a tiny white French Knot to the robin’s eye for sparkle.

 

 

Final Touch:

 

Frame your finished piece in a wooden hoop, or turn it into a patch for a bag or a pillow! This robin design makes a lovely springtime or autumn decoration, or a heartfelt handmade gift for bird lovers.

 

Tag your finished robin with **#PerchedRobinEmbroidery** so we can admire your beautiful work!

Happy stitching!

--Flora

Cozy Winter Squirrel Free Embroidery Pattern – With Stitch Guide and Thread Suggestions

There’s something heartwarming about a chilly winter morning, a warm scarf, and a steaming cup of coffee — and I hope this adorable squirrel embroidery pattern captures it perfectly! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced stitcher, this project will add a cozy, whimsical touch to your handmade creations.

Pattern Description

This design features a charming squirrel wrapped in a winter scarf, enjoying a hot drink by the window. It’s perfect for hoop art, tote bag embellishments, or even a festive wall hanging.

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Materials You’ll Need

• Fabric: Light-colored cotton, linen, or an embroidery-friendly blend.
• Hoop: 6–8 inch embroidery hoop.
• Needles: Size 7 or 9 embroidery needle.
• Embroidery Floss: Suggested DMC colors listed below.
• Scissors: Sharp embroidery scissors.
• Transfer Tools: Water-soluble pen or heat-erasable pen.

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Suggested Thread Colors (DMC)

• Squirrel body: 3864 (Mocha Beige Light)
• Ear tips & tail tip: 3371 (Black Brown)
• Scarf: 321 (Red) or 3810 (Turquoise Blue) for a pop of colour
• Cheeks: 3713 (Salmon Very Light)
• Eye & Nose: 310 (Black)
• Mug: 415 (Pearl Grey) or 703 (Chartreuse) for contrast
• Steam lines: 762 (Pearl Grey Very Light)
• Background window frame: 3799 (Pewter Grey) or 646 (Beaver Grey)

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Suggested Thread Colors (Anchor)

• Squirrel body: 1047 (Mocha Beige Light)
• Ear tips & tail tip: 382 (Black Brown)
• Scarf: 47 (Red) or 1089 (Turquoise Blue) for a pop of colour
• Cheeks: 1026 (Salmon Very Light)
• Eye & Nose: 403 (Black)
• Mug: 398 (Pearl Grey) or 225 (Chartreuse) for contrast
• Steam lines: 234 (Pearl Grey Very Light)
• Background window frame: 236 (Pewter Grey) or 1046 (Beaver Grey)

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Stitch Guide

1. Squirrel Body – Long & Short Stitch
Fill in the squirrel’s body with smooth shading using long & short stitches for a natural fur texture. Keep your stitches flowing along the body’s curve.

2. Tail – Fishbone Stitch or Long & Short Stitch
For extra fluffiness, use long & short stitches blending from the body color to the darker tip color.

3. Eye & Nose – Satin Stitch
Fill both with black floss for a neat, glossy look. Add a single French knot in white for a sparkle in the eye.

4. Cheeks – Satin Stitch
Give the squirrel a rosy blush with soft pink thread.

5. Scarf – Back Stitch or Split Stitch for the outline, Satin Stitch for the filled areas
You can also use small straight stitches to mimic knitted texture.

6. Mug – Satin Stitch for smooth coverage
Outline with Back Stitch in a slightly darker shade for definition.

7. Steam – Stem Stitch or Back Stitch
Use light grey for a soft, wavy effect.

8. Window Frame & Books – Back Stitch for clean lines
Optionally fill the books’ covers with satin stitch in contrasting colors.

Tips for Best Results

• Start stitching from the center of the design outward to avoid fabric puckering.
• Keep your thread strands to 1 to 2 for detailed areas like the face.
• Consider adding light shading in the background using a few rows of back stitch for depth.

Where to Use This Pattern

• Hoop wall art for winter décor
• Embellishing a tote bag or cushion cover
• As part of a winter-themed embroidery sampler

If you like this cozy squirrel, you might also enjoy my Winter Woodland Friends embroidery pattern series — keep an eye out for the next design! 

Free Embroidery Pattern – Simple and Elegant Eucalyptus Leaves Botanical Design

 

If you’re looking for a calming, nature-inspired embroidery project, this free Eucalyptus Leaves Botanical embroidery pattern is perfect. The clean, minimal design looks stunning in a hoop, on tote bags, or even framed as wall art. It’s beginner-friendly yet produces a polished, elegant result thanks to its realistic leaf textures.

 

Stitch Guide

 

Leaves: Use long and short stitch to create smooth gradients and realistic texture. 

Stems: Use stem stitch for a neat, slightly raised line that gives a natural flow to the branch.

You can also use the outline stitch for creating a black work or red work style embroidery.

 

Thread Color Suggestions

DMC

 

For a balanced botanical look, use a mix of greens to give life to the leaves:

 

Medium Green: DMC 503 and 502 (mid-tones)

Dark Green: DMC 501 (shadows and base of leaves)

Stem Brown: DMC 801 (warm brown)

Anchor

Here’s the **Anchor thread color conversion** for the DMC shades:

 

These Anchor colors are very close matches to the DMC ones, though slight tone variations may appear.

 

Tips for Best Results

 

* Start with the central stem in stem stitch before filling the leaves.

* Keep long and short stitches smooth and in the same direction as the leaf veins for a natural effect.

* Blend colors by alternating shades in your long and short stitches.

* Use a wooden embroidery hoop for a warm, rustic presentation.

 

This simple design makes a wonderful mindful stitching project and a perfect handmade gift for plant lovers.

Happy Stitching

---Flora

Free Hollyhocks Embroidery Pattern – With Stitch & Color Guide

I’m so excited to share this free hollyhocks embroidery pattern with you! Hollyhocks are such charming flowers – tall, cheerful, and perfect for adding a cottage-garden feel to your needlework. This pattern is simple enough for beginners but still has plenty of detail for more experienced stitchers to enjoy.

Stitches to Use

For this design, I recommend keeping the stitches simple and classic so the beauty of the hollyhocks really shines:

Flowers: Use long and short stitch to fill in each petal. This will create lovely shading and a smooth, natural look.

Leaves: Also work the leaves in long and short stitch, so you can blend different greens for a realistic effect.

Stems: Use stem stitch for the flower stalks and smaller stems. This gives a nice, slightly raised line that works beautifully for plant stems.

Suggested Colors

I’ve chosen a soft and cheerful palette for this project:

Flower Petals: Shades of pink – try a light pink for the outer edges (e.g., DMC 3713 or 818) and a slightly deeper pink for the inner areas (e.g., DMC 603 or 602). You can blend two or three pinks for more depth.

Flower Centers: A soft yellow (e.g., DMC 3078) to give a gentle contrast without overpowering the pink petals.

Leaves: Use medium to deep greens (e.g., DMC 471 for lighter areas and 469 for darker shading).

Stems: A slightly muted green (e.g., DMC 936) works well for the main stalk, with a lighter green for highlights.

Tips for Stitching

When working long and short stitch, start with the lighter shades from the edge of the petals and gradually blend into a darker color toward the flower center.

Keep your stitches smooth and consistent in direction for a polished finish.

* If you’re new to stem stitch, remember to keep your needle coming out on the same side of the thread for a neat twist.

Instead of filling in with long and short stitches, you can also outline the design using stem stitch or backstitch.

Once finished, this hollyhocks piece would look gorgeous framed in a wooden hoop or sewn onto a tote bag for a sweet handmade touch.

Happy stitching!

---Flora

Cats and Flowers Embroidery Project Progress

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

 Here is the update on the cats and flowers embroidery project. 

This is what I have embroidered so far.

I have almost finished embroidering the cherry blossom flowers. Only a few flowers and some leaves are left.

I have started embroidering the cat now, which is a bit tricky. You have to follow the direction of the fur to mimic the fur texture and make it look realistic.

These are the stitches used in this project:

• Long-and-short stitch for the flowers, leaves, and the cats. 

• Satin stitch for some buds.

• Stem stitch for the stem.

I am planning to finish the project this week and start with the next project.

If you want to embroider this project, you can buy this embroidery kit online from Amazon. 

Happy stitching!

---Flora

Finished Embroidery Projects---Doily and Kurta Neck Embroidery

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I would like share with you today the images of the doily and kurta neck embroidery projects I had completed months back.

This is the final output of the embroidered flowers on the doily. There are some imperfections as this was an old project. I am happy that I was able to complete it as I had kept it unfinished for a very long time.

I took the pattern for this embroidery from the book Embroidery of Roses by Ondori publishers. This book is available on Amazon.

Some close-up pictures:

This is the kurta neck embroidery.

Some close-up pictures:

I took the pattern for the kutra neck embroidery from the book Embroidery Designs Punjabi Dress by Nirmala C. Mistry. This book is available on Amazon.

Happy stitching!

---Flora