Grebe Pair hand embroidery pattern with a 20-page PDF stitch guide. This is a digital download for stitching by hand; no finished embroidery or supplies are included.
Two grebes face each other with separate tufts of weed in their bills. Chestnut ruffs frame pale necks at unequal heights, above narrow passages of water and restrained reflections.
Inside the guide
A numbered map divides the design into 7 working areas. The guide includes stitch direction and sequence, preparation, practice samples, finishing guidance and 20 suggested DMC shades.
Working areas: Water and broken reflections; Single entering reed leaf; Far bird back and flank; Near bird back and flank; Pale necks and white cheeks; Crests and chestnut facial ruffs; Bills, eyes and carried weed.
Do the grebes share one continuous weed tuft?
No. Each bird holds its own tuft, with a visible interval between them. Retaining that separation makes the paired pose easier to read.
Files included
- 20-page Stitch Guide PDF
- Hand Embroidery Stitch Sampler - Essential Needlework Handbook, 16-page bonus PDF
- Colour reference JPG
- Full-size A3 transfer PDF with a 50 mm print-control bar
- White-background and transparent line art PNGs at 600 dpi
- Dimensioned SVG linework
- 10 lifestyle concept JPGs for placement inspiration
Size and printing
The full design field is 30 × 23.2 cm, including margins, in landscape orientation. This is the drawing field, not the bird’s body length. Print the A3 PDF at Actual Size / 100% and measure the 50 mm control bar. Allow extra fabric beyond the field for mounting or sewing.
Before you stitch
Suggested level: intermediate to advanced. Use stable, even-weave linen, six-strand embroidery cotton, a fine needle and a frame that accommodates the design. The reference shows deep smoky mulberry linen. Test your transfer method and the suggested thread colours on your chosen cloth before starting; screen colours and thread dye lots vary.
File use
The PDF guide is in English. No physical item is shipped. The SVG contains linework, not machine-embroidery stitches. Lifestyle images do not include sewing patterns for the objects shown.
Personal, non-commercial use only. Do not resell, share or redistribute the files, linework or reference images.
Design note
AI tools were used in developing the design and reference visuals. Lifestyle images are digital placement concepts, not photographs of a stitched sample.
Study 15 · Grebes Across the Water Mirror · Stitchesly
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