Eight-point star sampler hand embroidery pattern

Intermediate · 5 colors · 8 kinds of stitch

Eight-point star sampler: preview of the stitched design

A round sampler is built on a large eight-point star outlined in navy stem stitch. Its points are filled two ways by turns: four hold a green fishbone stitch leaf and four a raspberry satin stitch diamond, round a gold woven wheel at the center of the star. Between each two points sits a teal fan of three lazy daisy stitches with a gold French knot beyond it. A navy stem stitch circle closes the star in. On it stand teal buttonhole stitch scallops, each with its spokes, and a raspberry French knot between each two, then comes a navy chain stitch circle. A fringe of green fishbone stitch leaves makes the outer edge.

Size and details

Intermediate. A great deal of stitching.

5 colors of floss and 8 kinds of stitch:

The stitched size and the widest satin stitch, by hoop
Hoop	Inches	Centimeters	Satin stitch up to
3 in (8 cm)	1.9 × 1.9 in	4.8 × 4.8 cm	1/16 in (1.6 mm)
4 in (10 cm)	2.8 × 2.8 in	7.1 × 7.1 cm	1/8 in (3 mm)
5 in (13 cm)	3.7 × 3.7 in	9.4 × 9.4 cm	1/8 in (3 mm)
6 in (15 cm)	4.7 × 4.7 in	11.9 × 11.9 cm	3/16 in (5 mm)
8 in (20 cm)	6.5 × 6.5 in	16.5 × 16.5 cm	1/4 in (6 mm)

In a 3 or 4 inch hoop the French knots are drawn smaller than about 2 mm (a little over 1/16 in). Use one strand of floss for them there, or choose a larger hoop.

The pattern is drawn inside a circle about half an inch (1.3 cm) smaller all around than the hoop.

What you need

DMC 336 Navy BlueStar, circle and chain stitch circle
DMC 320 Medium Pistachio GreenLeaves in the points and fringe of leaves
DMC 3831 Dark RaspberryDiamonds in the points and knots between the scallops
DMC 3852 Very Dark StrawStar center and knots between the points
DMC 3809 Very Dark TurquoiseFans between the points, scallops and spokes of the scallops

The floss is six-strand cotton; the stitch guide says how many strands to use. You also need a hoop, an embroidery needle (a size 7 to 9 suits two or three strands) and plain cotton or linen fabric. To frame the piece in its hoop, cut a square 3 inches (8 cm) wider than the hoop: a 9 inch (23 cm) square for a 6 inch hoop.

Stitch guide

Stem stitch 2 or 3 strandsStar, circle
Fishbone stitch 2 strandsLeaves in the points, fringe of leaves
Satin stitch 2 strandsDiamonds in the points
Woven wheel stitch 2 strandsStar center
Lazy daisy stitch 2 strandsFans between the points
French knot 2 strands, two wrapsKnots between the points, knots between the scallops
Buttonhole stitch 2 strandsScallops, spokes of the scallops
Chain stitch 2 or 3 strandsChain stitch circle

Getting it onto your fabric

The PDF holds the pattern twice at actual size: once as drawn, and once mirrored for an iron-on transfer pen. Print it at 100% with scaling off and check the one-inch square (25.4 mm) with a ruler before you trace. How to transfer a pattern explains tracing, carbon paper and the other ways. The files are under Downloads.