Join me in another delightful winter stitching project as we create an easy snowflake embroidery ornament together. If you’re a newcomer to the craft, this pattern one of the easiest way to create intricate snowflakes. Let’s get started and create together a beautiful Christmas ornament!
If you’re looking for more winter magic make sure to check out this realistic mistletoe ornament or the classic Nutcracker cross-stitch project.
Disclaimer: This post might contain some affiliate links, you can find my full Disclosure Policy here.
Project Overview
PROJECT SIZE: approx. 7.5×7.5cm (3x3in)
STITCHES USED: French knot, satin stitch, and straight stitch
This cute snowflake pattern is part of a set of 6 ornaments which you can find in my Etsy shop.
The concept behind this set was to craft a cute assortment of ornaments—simple to embroider and stunning when hanged in your Christmas tree. Each piece was stitched using a simple palette, with a two-color reversed approach.
The pattern we’ll be stitching together today is free and you can download it from the pattern library. Even if it’s just one from this set, you can still stitch it twice using the same two-color reversed approach and create your own ornament set for free.
Let’s say you’re stitching one on a dark-colored fabric, like red, green, or your color of choice, using white thread. Next, stitch the same pattern on white fabric, but this time, use red or green thread.
Voilà! You’ve just created a charming two mini ornaments set!
Tools and Materials
This pattern is really easy to stitch and not pretentious at all in terms of materials.
The tools required for transferring the pattern onto the fabric depend on the fabric color. I’ll provide a list of all the tools and materials here, and you can choose the method that suits you best.
MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED
- Snowflake pattern #31 – download the free embroidery pattern from the Free Pattern Library – get the password by filling out the form below
- 100% cotton, linen or linen blend fabric
- Embroidery hoop 3in or 4in
- Heat erasable transfer pen – for transferring patterns onto light colored fabrics
- White marking fine tip pen – for transferring patterns onto lightweight to medium dark fabrics
- White carbon transfer paper – for transferring patterns onto heavy dark fabrics
- Led light pad or just a window- for transferring patterns onto light colored fabrics or lightweight to medium
- Embroidery needle size 5 and Milliners size 3
- DMC or ANCHOR threads
- Sharp embroidery scissors
- (Optional) Photo printer
Download the Free Pattern
Download the snowflake pattern from my Free Pattern Library.
To get access to the Free Pattern Library fill out the form below and I will send you an email with your password. You can read more about my Free Pattern Library here.
The pattern you have downloaded comes in two full sizes, so when printed on A4 paper they will have the exact size to fit into a 3inch or 4inch hoop. You just need to have the Fill Entire Paper option selected.
NOTE: If you don’t have access to a printer, you can just trace the pattern directly from your monitor onto A4 paper, then trace it onto your fabric.
Transferring the Pattern
As I mentioned earlier, the method for transferring the pattern to your fabric will vary based on the weight and color of the fabric you choose.
I’ll list all the methods just in case you’d like to stitch this pattern on both light and dark fabrics, creating your own mini set of ornaments.
Transfer the Pattern onto Light Fabric
If you don’t have access to a printer, you can trace the pattern onto a piece of tracing paper.
- Print your pattern: If you don’t have access to a printer, you can trace the pattern onto a piece of tracing/baking paper.
- Plugin and turn on the lightbox: Place the printed pattern on the lightbox, then place your fabric on top of the printed pattern. If you don’t have access to a lightbox, place the printed pattern over a window and secure it with masking tape, then place the fabric on top of it and secure again.
- Secure the fabric: Secure your fabric with masking tape.
- Trace the pattern: Trace over the pattern’s lines with the tool of your choice. You can use a washable tracing pen or a very fine-tip pigment liner (0.05 or 0.1).
Transfer the Pattern onto Dark Lightweight Fabric
If your dark fabric is lightweight to medium, moderately transparent, use the following method.
- Print your pattern: If you don’t have access to a printer, you can trace the pattern onto a piece of tracing/baking paper.
- Plugin and turn on the lightbox: Place the printed pattern on the lightbox or a window, then place your fabric on top of the printed pattern.
- Secure the fabric: Secure your fabric with masking tape.
- Trace the pattern: Trace over the pattern’s lines with a fine tip white gel pen. You can find these on Amazon or any local craft store.
Transfer the Pattern onto Dark Heavyweight Fabric
If your dark fabric is heavy or its dark color makes it impossible to see through, use the following method.
- Print your pattern: If you don’t have access to a printer, you can trace the pattern onto a piece of tracing/baking paper.
- Place the white carbon paper: Place the carbon paper with the gummy side face down on top of the fabric.
- Place the printed pattern centrally: place the printed pattern on top of the carbon paper and secure with masking tape.
- Trace the pattern: Trace over the pattern’s lines with an HB pencil, HB mechanical pencil or a pen. You might need to apply more pressure when tracing using this method.
NOTE: If your traced lines are faint you can use a white gelly pen to reinforce the outlines.
Stitching the Snowflake
Straight Stitch, Satin Stitch & French Knot – 6 strands of thread in DMC BLANC (White).
I embroidered this design on a burgundy lightweight linen fabric using white thread. If you opt, for instance, to create a lovely reversed pair and stitch it on a white background, use a burgundy embroidery thread.
DMC 815 (Garnet Medium) is a very close color to match this burgundy fabric.
1. We’ll be stitching the long lines in straight stitch. Begin your first line at the outer edge and stitch a long, straight line down towards the center.
2. Emerge very close to where you finished the first straight stitch and create a second long straight stitch.
3. For the third line, emerge again close to the center and come up at the outer edge. This way you’ll avoiding the thread on the back showing on the front.
4. Next, stitch the small slanted details in straight stitch. Don’t overlap the already stitched long straight lines, instead go beneath the previously stitched long line.
5. When you go down, you can use the needle to gently nudge the stitched line aside if needed.
6. Now, work on the center circle using satin stitch. No need to outline it first —just start from the middle of the shape and build the satin stitch.
7. Beginning from the center of the shape will make it easier to maintain your stitches straight.
8. Finally, stitch the small circle details. When stitching the French knots, wrap the thread around the needle just twice. This will result in sturdy stitches.
The Back of the Embroidery
Time to tidy up the back of your embroidered piece.
There are multiple ways to finish the back of your embroidery. If you’re creating this ornament for your personal use, I generally recommend the easiest method outlined below.
Start by cutting the excess fabric, leaving at least an inch allowance. To prevent the fabric from fraying you can use a zig-zag scissors.
Use 6 strands and make sure you have enough thread for the entire circle. Tie a knot at the end of your thread. Use a Running Stitch until you complete the full circle.
Leaving enough thread at the end, join the 2 ends together and tie another knot. Cut the excess thread and you’re done!
Congratulations!
You’re ready to display your beautiful snowflakes decorations! You can use twine or colored ribbon that matches the fabric’s color for hanging.
Your beautiful embroidery piece is ready to be displayed!
Depending on your Christmas decoration theme, you have a variety of materials to choose from for creating a small hanger for your hoops.
I went for jute twine to match the natural overall decor of our tree, but you can also consider using gold or silver thread, ribbon, or fishing line which is great as it’s transparent.
Remember that you can download the Halloween pattern from the Free Pattern Library. To access it just fill out the form below and I will send you an email with your password.
More Embroidery Projects
- You’ve Been Booed! Free Embroidery Pattern and Printable Tags
- 15 Halloween Cupcakes Recipes for Your Spooky Gathering
- DIY Mistletoe Christmas Ornament
- 20 Free Halloween Embroidery Designs to Stitch This Season
Did you try this project? Come over to our Facebook Group and show everyone your magic!
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I cannot find the pattern for the snowflakes.
Hello
I cannot find the pattern to download
Where is the pattern? #31 in your library is an American flag.