Island Bloom in DMC - PAT0488 - Downloadable PDF

Island Bloom Embroidery Pattern by Jess Phoenix for DMC – PAT0488

Island Bloom is a free, downloadable PDF embroidery pattern created by designer Jess Phoenix in collaboration with DMC. Also known by its French title Floraison des Îles, this intermediate-level design celebrates lush, tropical floral imagery through richly blended thread work. The finished design measures approximately 10.8 cm × 10.6 cm, making it an ideal project for embroidery hoops, framed textile art, or as an embellishment on fabric goods.

What Is Being Made

Embroiderers following this pattern will stitch a vibrant island-inspired floral composition. The design features a detailed arrangement of blooms and botanical elements rendered in a wide spectrum of colours, from warm corals and pinks to vivid blues and greens, evoking the rich palette of tropical flora. The finished piece is suitable for display as framed needlework or incorporated into a variety of textile projects.

Techniques Used

The primary technique used throughout Island Bloom is long and short stitch (known in French as passé empiétant). This is one of the most expressive and painterly techniques in surface embroidery, used to create smooth gradients and realistic shading across petals, leaves, and other organic forms. By alternating longer and shorter stitches at the edges of each row and interlocking them with the next, embroiderers can blend colours seamlessly — much like brushstrokes in a painting. This technique is particularly well suited to floral subjects, where subtle tonal transitions bring petals and foliage to life.

The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, meaning it is best approached by those who have some prior embroidery experience, particularly with colour blending and consistent stitch tension. Beginners who are comfortable with basic stitches and are ready to develop their shading skills will also find this a rewarding challenge.

Stitches Used

• Long and short stitch – the sole stitch specified in the pattern instructions, used across all areas of the design to achieve painterly colour blending and smooth tonal gradations

Colour Palette and Thread Materials

The pattern calls for 13 thread colours in total, each requiring one skein. The colour palette is divided into two thread types, both from DMC:

• DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 – the standard six-strand cotton embroidery floss used for the majority of the design. Colours specified include:
  • 891 (deep coral/red)
  • 3806 (bright pink)
  • 3688 (medium mauve pink)
  • 3689 (light mauve pink)
  • 818 (baby pink)
  • 3341 (apricot)
  • 608 (bright orange)
  • 3849 (teal green)
  • 995 (electric blue)
  • 796 (dark royal blue)
  • 820 (very dark royal blue)
• DMC Light Effects Embroidery Thread 317W – a specialty thread that adds a subtle shimmer or metallic quality to selected elements of the design. Colours specified include:
  • S602 – a Light Effects shade
  • E436 – a Light Effects metallic shade

All stitching is worked using 4 strands of thread throughout the design. A No. 12 needle is recommended for use with these threads.

Fabric and Transfer Materials

The pattern recommends using a DMC Magic Sheet along with a transfer pen and transfer paper to accurately reproduce the design onto the chosen fabric. This transfer method ensures clean, precise lines before stitching begins, which is especially helpful when working with a detailed floral composition like Island Bloom. The specific fabric type is left to the embroiderer's preference, provided it is suitable