Maple Leaf Free Embroidery Pattern: A Touch of Autumn for Your Needlework

 

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a timeless maple leaf embroidery. Whether you're embellishing a linen napkin, creating a seasonal hoop art, or adding flair to a tote bag, this pattern brings warmth and elegance to any project.

Supplies Needed to Embroider This Pattern

Needles

• Embroidery needle size 7–9: Ideal for 1–3 strands of floss
• Chenille needle (optional): If using thicker threads or metallics

Fabric

• Cotton, linen, or muslin: Light to medium weight
• Suggested colors: Natural, cream, or soft beige to make autumn tones pop

Embroidery Hoop

• 6" or 8" wooden or plastic hoop: Keeps fabric taut while stitching

Pattern Transfer Tools

• Water-soluble pen or pencil
• Lightbox or window (for tracing)
• Iron-on transfer pen (optional)

Other Essentials

• Sharp embroidery scissors
• Thread conditioner (like beeswax or Thread Heaven, optional)
• Pressing cloth (for ironing finished work)
• Backing fabric or stabilizer (if stitching on garments or bags)

Finishing Supplies

• Mild soap (for rinsing transfer lines)
• Iron (to press your finished piece)
• Frame or hoop for display (optional but lovely!)

Thread Suggestions

To capture the rich tones of fall, here’s a curated palette of DMC and Anchor threads that blend beautifully for shading and texture:

You can buy mix and match based on your fabric and personal style. You can also add metallic threads for a shimmering effect!

PDF Pattern Download Link:

Maple Leaf Free PDF Embroidery Pattern

Stitch Suggestions

This leaf’s structure lends itself to a variety of stitches. Here’s a breakdown:

• Stem Stitch: Perfect for outlining the leaf and stem.
• Long and Short Stitch: Ideal for filling in lobes with gradient shading.
• Split Stitch: Adds texture to the serrated edges.

Step-by-Step Tutorial to help you bring this design to life:

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric

• Choose a medium-weight cotton or linen.
• Transfer the pattern using a water-soluble pen or lightbox.

Step 2: Outline the Leaf

• Use stem stitch with DMC 817 or Anchor 47 to trace the outer edge.
• For a bold look, double your thread.

Step 3: Fill the Lobes

• Begin with long and short stitch using burnt orange (DMC 921).
• Blend into golden yellow (DMC 972) toward the tips for a sunlit effect.

Step 4: Add Veins

• Use backstitch in brown (DMC 801) for the central vein.
• Branch out with thinner lines using olive green (DMC 733).

Step 5: Embellish the Stem

• Stitch the stem with split stitch in olive green.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

• Gently rinse off any pattern markings.
• Press your fabric from the back using a pressing cloth.

🌟 Tips for Beginners

• Always test your thread colors on scrap fabric.
• Use a hoop to maintain tension.
• Keep your stitches consistent in length for a polished look.

Happy Stitching!

---Flora

Cats and Cherry Blossom Flowers Embroidery – Project Completed!

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

I finally finished my Cats and Cherry Blossom Flowers embroidery project, and I am happy with how it turned out!

Back in April, I shared a little progress update on this piece. At that point, most of the cherry blossoms were stitched, and I had just started working on the cats. I remember writing about how tricky it was to get the fur looking natural—it really came down to following the direction of the stitches and blending the colors slowly.

I kept a little stitch “cheat sheet” for myself along the way:

* Long-and-short stitch for shading and fur texture

* Satin stitch for the smooth buds

* Stem stitch to keep the branches looking neat

* Straight stitch and French knots for the flower center

The Finished Piece

The cherry blossoms are probably my favorite part—the pinks and whites came together so softly, and the little buds give it a nice touch of movement. 

I’m not entirely sure I managed to capture the cats’ fur exactly the way I wanted. Getting the direction and blending of the long-and-short stitches just right is something I definitely need more practice with—it can be tricky to balance the texture while keeping it soft and natural-looking. Still, I love the overall effect. The way the two cats are nestled together gives the piece such a tender, affectionate feeling. It almost tells its own little story of comfort and the bond between a mother and her kitten under the blossoms, which makes me smile every time I look at it.

This project reminded me that embroidery really rewards patience. The long-and-short stitches took forever, but they made all the difference in how soft and natural everything looks. Adding in satin and stem stitches gave just the right amount of contrast and detail without losing that softness I was going for.

If you’d like to stitch this project yourself, the embroidery kit is available on Amazon. 

My older daughter is a huge cat lover, so I’ve decided that instead of just keeping this embroidery in the hoop, I’m going to turn it into something special for her. The plan is to carefully add it as a patchwork panel onto a pillow cover. I think it will be such a cozy and personal touch for her room, and I know she’ll absolutely love cuddling up with it. It makes me so happy to imagine this piece becoming part of something she’ll use and enjoy every day, rather than just being tucked away.

What’s Next?

I’m already looking forward to starting another project soon—perhaps something with more animals, a pattern I’ve shared on this blog, or maybe even a completely different style of flowers.

I really enjoyed the mix of techniques in this one, so I’d like to keep experimenting.

Do you also have a project in progress, or maybe one waiting in your “to-stitch” list? I’d love to hear what you’re working on. Please feel free to share your current or upcoming embroidery projects in the comments. It’s always inspiring to see what others are creating with needle and thread!

Happy Stitching!

---Flora

Free Monstera Plant Embroidery Pattern

If you’re a fan of greenery and stitching, this free monstera plant embroidery pattern is perfect for you! The Monstera, with its iconic split leaves, brings a touch of tropical elegance to any embroidery project. Whether you’re stitching a gift for a friend who loves plants or creating a home décor piece, this pattern is versatile and beginner-friendly.

Pattern download link is given below.

Thread Color Suggestions

DMC Thread Colors (Leaves & Pot):

* 3364 – Pine Green (leaves)

* 3363 – Fern Green (leaves)

* 3348 – Bright Leaf Green (leaves)

* 367 – Pale Green (leaves)

* 310 – Black (for outlines)

* 817 – Coral Red (plant pot)

* 921 – Medium Orange (plant pot shading)

* 740 – Light Orange/Yellow (plant pot highlights)

Anchor Thread Colors (Leaves & Pot)

* 226 – Deep Green (leaves)

* 225 – Medium Green (leaves)

* 224 – Light Green (leaves)

* 229 – Very Light Green (leaves)

* 403 – Black (for outlines)

* 46 – Coral Red (plant pot)

* 44 – Medium Orange (plant pot shading)

* 306 – Light Yellow/Orange (plant pot highlights)

Using these thread colors ensures your monstera embroidery has depth and realism while keeping it bright and cheerful.

For an added touch of elegance, you can trace the outline of the pattern using an outline stitch, just like in traditional redwork embroidery. This technique not only defines the shapes beautifully but also adds a classic, hand-stitched charm to your design. 

Stitch Guide

This pattern uses a combination of simple stitches:

* Backstitch: For outlining the leaves and stems.

* Long and Short Stitch: To fill in the solid areas of the leaves.

* Stem Stitch: For smooth, curving lines on the stems.

Download Link

You can download PDF version of the pattern by clicking the link below:

Download the Monstera Plant Embroidery Pattern

Embroidery Tutorial

1. Transfer the Pattern: Use a water-soluble pen to trace the monstera design onto your fabric.

2. Start with the Leaves: Begin with the largest leaf using satin stitch, layering darker colors for shadowed areas.

3. Add the Stems: Use stem stitch in the appropriate green to create natural curves connecting the leaves.

4. Outline the Leaves: Backstitch around the leaf edges for definition.

5. Plant Pot: Use long and short stitch to create shading for a 3D effect on the pot.

Where and How to Use This Pattern

* Home Décor: Frame it for a tropical wall display, or stitch it on a pillow cover for a cozy, botanical touch.

* Accessories: Add it to tote bags, aprons, or even denim jackets.

* Gifts: Create a personalized handmade gift for plant lovers or craft enthusiasts.

* Seasonal Projects: Perfect for spring and summer-themed embroidery collections.

Girl with Coffee – Free Embroidery Pattern

There’s something magical about slow autumn mornings with a warm cup of coffee in hand. This free embroidery pattern captures that cozy feeling in the simplest way – a quiet moment, a thoughtful gaze, and the beauty of falling leaves. 🍂☕✨

Whether you’re an embroidery beginner or an experienced stitcher, this design is perfect for anyone who loves calming, modern line-art patterns. The clean outlines make it beginner-friendly, while the details in the hair and leaves add enough variety to keep it fun and relaxing.

The Girl with Coffee embroidery pattern is simple, modern, and beginner-friendly — perfect for stitching while you sip your own cup of coffee or tea. 💛

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

• Minimalist line-art style
• Touch of autumn with colorful leaves
• Perfect gift idea for coffee lovers
• Beginner-friendly, but versatile for advanced stitchers too

Suggested Stitches

Backstitch – for the main outlines

Satin stitch – to fill the coffee and leaves

French knots – for tiny accents (like jewelry or details in the hair, if you’d like to add them)

Materials You’ll Need

* Embroidery hoop (6–8 inch recommended)

* Cotton fabric (light-colored works best)

* Embroidery floss in: black, brown, golden yellow, green, and orange

* Needle & scissors

Tips for Stitching

• Keep your stitches neat and even for the outline to maintain that clean line-art look.
• Experiment with thread colors for the leaves – you can go for autumn shades, or even a pastel spring palette if you’d like to give it a different seasonal mood.
• If you prefer a minimal look, you can stitch only the outlines and leave the coffee and leaves unfilled.

Save the Girl with Coffee Free Embroidery Pattern. Print it, transfer it to your fabric, and enjoy some cozy stitching time!

Happy stitching!

---Flora

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. Or, if you prefer, you can use satin stitch as well.

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

You can also use just the outline stitch for creating a red work--style embroidery using a single thread color, like red or black, on a cream or white linen.

 

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.

Download link is given below.

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.

Download Link

You can download PDF version of the pattern by clicking the link below:

Download the Hollyhocks Embroidery Pattern

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