The cormorant's open wings ask for two different fans of feather direction. Download the hand embroidery pattern for the dark body, small yellow throat patch and finer water trickles beneath the coastal ledge.
Are both open wings shaded in the same direction?
Each fan follows its own spread. Use the regional directions rather than mirroring one side, so the dark feathers retain the unequal open-wing pose.
From outlines to shaded surfaces
The guide maps 12 working regions with local stitch direction, strand count and DMC colour recipes. Use the region key and recommended sequence to follow the overlaps and changes in shading. Mapped techniques include broken horizontal long-and-short, faceted long-and-short, split stitch.
Included with this design
The package contains the 16-page Stitch Guide PDF, a full-size A3 transfer PDF, SVG linework, white and transparent 600 dpi linework PNGs, a colour reference JPG, the thread-and-region CSV, READ_ME instructions and the Hand Embroidery Stitch Sampler, Essential Needlework Handbook PDF.
The design on cloth
Cormorant Opening the Rain Black Wings is a study of dark feathers in an expansive pose. Work each wing's overlapping rows independently, then use the yellow throat and pale coastal details as restrained points of contrast.
Scale and fabric planning
Artwork canvas: 300 x 232 mm, landscape, including the open background areas. Print the separate A3 transfer at Actual Size / 100% and check the 50 mm control bar. Guide previews are reduced. These are canvas dimensions, not a finished hoop, cushion or bag size. The Stitch Guide itself uses US Letter pages.
Choosing the ground fabric
- Suggested ground: muted rust linen
- 14 suggested DMC shades, using stranded cotton floss
- Bring your own needles and a hoop or frame
- Test the chosen transfer method and thread colours on your cloth
Download format and licence
Digital files only. No fabric, thread, tools or finished embroidery is supplied. Colour references and lifestyle mockups show design and presentation ideas. For personal, non-commercial use. Do not share, redistribute or resell the digital files.
