Hoatzin 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.
A hoatzin perches among rust-edged leaves, its long tail balancing a spiky crest. Blue facial skin and a red eye concentrate the strongest colour near the head above the layered brown plumage.
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: Diagonal branch and pale lichen; Three broad rust-edged leaves; Folded leaf, buds and small growth; Rust wing and long dark tail; Buff breast and streaked neck; Blue face, compact bill and crest; Two compact feet gripping the branch.
How should the hoatzin's crest meet the head?
Keep the fine spikes attached to the head contour shown in the reference. They should remain separate from leaf points and branch lines around the face.
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 23.2 × 30 cm, including margins, in portrait 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 muted aubergine-grey 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 75 · Hoatzin Among the Rusted Leaves · Stitchesly
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