Drawing with Thread

Rieko Oka

Drawing with Thread

20 Nature-Inspired Embroidery Patterns for All Seasons

Rieko Oka

Drawing with Thread

20 Nature-Inspired Embroidery Patterns for All Seasons Get Creative 6

New York

Preface

2

The flapping of a bird’s wings, a townscape where houses stand side-by-side, a cat’s playful behavior . . . the patterns presented in this book are all scenes we have witnessed.

Fabrics here become sheets of drawing paper, embroidery flosses are paints, and adding the last stitch to your embroidery project marks the moment when it becomes a work of art. The patterns introduced in this book are presented in a way that allows the designs to be easily repeated. When transferring the pattern, simply slide it horizontally to repeat. Whether a single motif or repeated, the pattern will present expanded possibilities for how to showcase your embroidery work. As the area to embroider gets larger, it becomes more labor intensive. However, I hope you can always find the pattern you were searching for to create your dream fabric.

All right—with threaded needle in hand, let’s begin!

ten to sen Moyou Seisaku jyo, Rieko Oka

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Contents Preface………………………………………………………………………………… 2

16: Hydrangea………………………………………………………………………………… 72 17: Woods………………………………………………………………………………………… 76

Chapter 01

18: Outlined Plants………………………………………………………………………… 80

Embroidery Patterns

19: Little Flowers……………………………………………………………………………… 84 20: Squirrels in the Forest………………………………………………………………… 88

01: Bush………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8 02: Swallows…………………………………………………………………………………… 12

Chapter 02

03: Apples……………………………………………………………………………………………16

Ideas for Your Embroidery Projects

04: Birds’ Garden……………………………………………………………………………… 20 05: Cross-Shaped Flowers……………………………………………………………… 24

Idea 01 / Simply Display Your Embroidery………………………………………… 94

06: Rope…………………………………………………………………………………………… 28

Idea 02 / Embroider One Motif………………………………………………………… 96

07: Houses……………………………………………………………………………………… 32

How to Make a Brooch…………………………………………………………………… 97

08: Cats…………………………………………………………………………………………… 36

Idea 03 / Folding Lengthwise…………………………………………………………… 98

09: Above the Clouds……………………………………………………………………… 42

How to Make a Boxed-Corner Pouch…………………………………………… 100

10: Rain…………………………………………………………………………………………… 46

Idea 04 / Folding Widthwise………………………………………………………… 102

11: Round-Shaped Fish……………………………………………………………………… 50

How to Make a Pencil Case…………………………………………………………… 104

12: Flapping Wings………………………………………………………………………… 54

Idea 05 / Without Folding……………………………………………………………… 106

13: Lace Flowers……………………………………………………………………………… 60

How to Make a Mini Bag……………………………………………………………… 108

14: Grassland…………………………………………………………………………………… 64

Idea 06 / Use Lengthwise……………………………………………………………… 110

15: Tiles…………………………………………………………………………………………… 68

How to Make a Book Cover………………………………………………………… 112

Chapter 03

How to Use This Book

Embroidery Basics

•

Transferring Patterns……………………………………………………………………… 114 Basic Tools and Materials……………………………………………………………… 116 Basic Stitches…………………………………………………………………………………117

How to Use the Patterns Each pattern includes descriptions for the embroidery floss and stitches used. For example: Straight S (3 strands). This means that you will use three strands of embroidery floss , listed in the materials section, to make Straight Stitches. S is the abbreviation for Stitch.

Photographs of Completed Work and Pattern Sizes The completed work photographs in chapter 2, as well as the patterns (excluding Stitching Guides), are all actual size.

•

Appendix

Patterns for Your Original Projects 01: Swallows………………………………………………………………………………… 122 02: Birds’ Garden………………………………………………………………………… 123 03: Houses…………………………………………………………………………………… 124 04: Cats………………………………………………………………………………………… 125 05: Lace Flowers…………………………………………………………………………… 126 06: Squirrels in the Forest……………………………………………………………… 127

Fabric and Embroidery Floss In the Materials section, numbers and letters listed with each product represent the color number of listed products. Please •

refer to the end of the book for product distributors.

Measurements This book primarily uses inches, with conversions to centimeters •

included in parentheses.

Repeated Patterns Many of the embroidery patterns presented in this book consist of repeated pattern segments. When the pattern is enclosed in dotted lines, it is a single segment of the repeated pattern. Orderly connecting of segments, either vertically or horizontally, creates •

embroidery that can cover large areas.

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01 Embroidery Patterns Twenty Embroidery Patterns Based on the Kitano Moyocho Textile Collection

01: Bush I designed patterns in my 2013 textile design collection, “Kitano Moyocho – (Pattern Book of the North),” based on the theme “nostalgic scenery.” One of the patterns in the collection was “Shigemi” (a bush). The inspiration for this pattern was a certain piece of scenery, which I can recall even when my eyes are closed. I designed the pattern as I imagined that bit of scenery being a mere arm’s length away. Based on that pattern, I re-designed “Shigemi” to create a hand embroidery pattern. This embroidery pattern is perfect for beginners because it consists of simple stitches. Even a beginner will feel a great sense of accomplishment after stitching all the different types of flowers and leaves. Fabric embroidered with this pattern would make a cute drawstring bag!

9

Shepherd’s purse, lily of the valley, clover, leopard plant . . . what’s the name of that plant with the red berries? It is super fun to stitch, all the while guessing the names of the plants!

Fill in using Straight S

Satin S

Straight S

F ill in using Straight S

Straight S

French Knot S

S atin S

F rench Knot S

Satin S

French Knot S

F rench Knot S

S traight S

French Knot S (4 strands) S atin S Satin S

S atin S

Fill in using Straight S

L ong and Short S S atin S

S atin S Satin S Straight S

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02: Swallows This is a hand embroidery pattern created from a textile pattern I produced in 2017. Near the entrance gate to the Hokkaido Race Track, standing side-by-side are some magnificent weeping willows. I passed in front of those enormous weeping willows every time I drove to Sapporo from Otaru. When I was stopped by the traffic light in front of the weeping willows, their massive appearance drew my attention without fail. It was as if they were drawing me in somehow. In summer, the branches would create a refreshing sight, what felt like a green tunnel over the sidewalk. I created this pattern while I was recalling just such a pleasing sight.

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Between the willow branches, swallows fly about freely. Enjoy embroidering this pattern as you imagine how the swallows smoothly glide through the air!

03: Apples The rose family of apple trees has leaves with jagged edges. This is my favorite shape for leaves! This pattern depicts the thickly growing leaves of an apple tree, with young apples peeking out from between overlapping leaves. When the harvest season comes around, it’s easy to imagine birds perched on a branch pecking at the apples. Some birds, like bulbuls, come in small groups and intently peck the apples. Maybe they are preparing for winter?

This pattern makes a wonderful neckline on a kimono because it has the look of a traditional Japanese pattern with delicate stitch work.

17

Stitch the leaves and stems in a simple manner. Use long and short stitches for the apples to create a puffed surface.

04: Birds’ Garden In the middle of the night, I heard birds chirping. I was curious, because the birds’ cry came from a dark and quiet area. Are they singing out a poem? What design do the branches and leaves surrounding them form?

Such wondrous feelings are the inspiration for this pattern, titled “Birds’ Garden.” The pattern was initially used to produce machine-embroidered fabrics. Now, I’ve simplified it to be a hand-embroidered pattern.

How about embroidering it on a book cover? That would surely make it even more enjoyable to read!

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Embroidered primarily using pale blue and beige embroidery floss. Hand embroidery has a particularly soft, puffy appearance and brings a fresh look to the common embroidery motifs used here.

Birds’ Garden

Actual Size Pattern

Stitching Guide

Straight S

Long and Short S

Split S

French Knot S Long and Short S

French Knot S French Knot S Long and Short S Split S

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Color Variation

se three strands *U of the embroidery floss.

Straight S Long and Short S Satin S

Fabric: Navy grey linen Embroidery Floss: DMC Six-Strand Cotton 3033 (Ashes) 939 (Elderberry Blue) 932 (Blue Gull)

You will need

Split S

Materials

French Knot S

Fabric: Light blue linen 77/8 x 97/8” (20 x 25cm)

Pointers

Embroidery Floss: DMC Six-Strand Cotton 3865 (Edelweiss) Two skeins 3033 (Ashes) Three skeins 932 (Blue Gull) One skein

Use a split stitch (page 120) for the branches. Densely stitch each bird’s body to give a plumage-like texture while remaining cognizant of the feathers’ flow.

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Satin S（(33本） strands) ⓑサテンS Straight S (3（ strands) ⓐショートS 3本）

Back S (3 strands) ⓐバックS （3本）

French Knot ⓐフレンチ S (2 strands) ノットS （2本）

Back S (3 ⓐバックS （strands) 3本） SatinⓑサテンS S (3 strands) （3本）

ⓑサテンS （strands) 3本） Satin S (3

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42

Chain S (2 strands)

ⓐチェーンS（2本）

Couching S (Laid floss: 4 strands, ⓐコーチングS（芯：4本、 とめ糸：2本） Working floss: 2 strands)

Couching （ S (Laid floss: 4 strands, ⓐコーチングS 芯：4本、 とめ糸：2本） Working floss: 2 strands)

Couching S (Laid floss: 4 strands, Working floss: 2 strands)

ⓐコーチングS（芯：4本、 とめ糸：2本）

Back S（(2 strands) ⓐバックS 2本） Straight S

(2 strands)（2本） ⓐストレートS

ⓑロングアンドショートS （3本） Long and Short S (3 strands)

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12: Flapping Wings It only takes one bird flying away for all the others to follow. This is the sight I sought to recreate in this design. Although the birds are in different positions, the whole retains a certain unity, as all the birds are the same size.

When this pattern is embroidered with white thread on blue fabric, it conveys seagulls over a blue sky. Or, using white thread on grey fabric would more likely depict doves. The type of bird that comes to mind will vary depending on the color of thread and fabric chosen.

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The bird outlines use a couching stitch.

The thickness of the stitch helps show movement and can make those movements even more lively.

Actual Size Pattern

Flapping Wings

You will need 56

Materials Color Variation Fabric: Natural color linen Embroidery Floss: DMC Six-Strand Cotton BLANC (White) 817 (Japanese Red)

Fabric: Off-white linen 77/8 x 97/8” (20 x 25cm) Embroidery Floss: DMC Six-Strand Cotton 725 (Buttercup) Two skeins 928 (Oyster Shell) One skein

Pointers The tip of the beak is key to making a realistic bird shape.

For a pointy beak, start the couching stitch (page 120) at the tip of the beak and be sure to end there as well.

Sources of Inspiration

58

Animals, plants, the scenery around you . . . inspiration for designing patterns can be hidden within even the most familiar sights.

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60

15: Tiles This pattern looks like painted tiles placed one next to the other. Embroidering this pattern around the hem of a plain skirt would be lovely. Or you can use individual motifs as attractive coasters.

69

Use the outline stitch for the leaves and French knot for the dots between the leaves.

Actual Size Pattern

Tiles

You will need 70

Color Variation Fabric: Off-white linen Embroidery Floss: DMC Six-Strand Cotton 803 (Inky Blue)

Materials Fabric: Dark navy linen 77/8 x 97/8” (20 x 25cm) Embroidery Floss: DMC Six-Strand Cotton 3866 (Garlic White) Five skeins

Pointers Use the outline stitch (page 117) for each leaf. First, embroider the outline and then fill with outline stitches by following the lines drawn in the pattern. Pay close attention when stitching the outer edges of the motif; imagine an invisible rectangular frame surrounding the pattern.

19: Little Flowers This pattern is created from a design I produced in 2016 for a kimono collar. This repetitive design with small flowers is coarsely embroidered to achieve a result that is both simple and elegant. The use of softtoned pastel threads will give a more youthful impression, while conversely, darker stitching as seen here offers a more sophisticated effect. Fabric with this motif would perfectly complement an evening bag.

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This stitching mimics the texture of a roughly drawn sketch.

Laid floss: 3 strands, ⓗ （芯：3本、 止め糸：2本） Working floss: 2 strands

ⓓ

ⓖ

ⓓ

ⓟ ⓛ

ⓝ ⓕ

ⓐ

ⓟ ⓠ

ⓐ

ⓐ

ⓡ ⓚ

ⓟ Laid floss: ⓗ 3（芯：3本、 strands, 止め糸：2本） Working floss: 2 strands

ⓒ

ⓓ ⓒ

ⓠ

ⓝ

ⓞ ⓖ

leaf 葉ⓜ stem 茎ⓝ

ⓞ

ⓕ

ⓒ ⓖ

ⓘ

ⓘ

ⓔ

ⓑ

ⓐ ⓟ

ⓙ

ⓚ

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02 Ideas for Your Embroidery Projects Expanding the World of Hand Embroidery

The abbreviation RS stands for Right Side; WS stands for Wrong Side.

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94

① Attach fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the outer fabric.

Fusible interfacing

② Put the outer and lining fabric together (with the right sides Outer fabric (WS)

facing inward). Then, sew the edges of the pocket together.

Outer fabric (WS) 3/8” (1cm) Lining fabric (RS)

Pocket

④ Turn your work inside ③ Turn your work right side

out. Once again, sew the edges of the pocket.

out and fold the edge of the pocket in.

Folding edge

113 ⑤ Temporarily secure

the bookmark and the belt on the seam allowance.

23/8” (6cm)

Outer fabric (WS) Outer fabric (WS)

1/16”

(0.2cm)

3/8” (1cm)

⑥ Sew the edges

together while leaving an opening for turning.

⑧ Fold the seam

allowance inward and then sew the opening to close.

Opening for turning: Leave a 33/4” (9.5cm) long opening

1/16”

(0.2cm)

⑦ Turn your work right side

out through the opening.

Transferring Patterns Cellophane

Trace your pattern on tracing paper Carbon paper

03 114

Embroidery Basics Basic Materials, Tools, and Stitches

Fabric (RS)

As seen above, place the cellophane, tracing paper with pattern, and carbon paper on your fabric.

A stylus or pen

Add weights to hold the paper down and then trace the pattern onto the fabric.

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About the Author Rieko Oka is a pattern designer from Hokkaido and graduate of Tokai University Graduate School of Integrated Design Studies. In 2008, she started to create textiles under the name “ten to sen Moyou Seisaku jyo” and now creates original textiles titled “Kita no moyocho.” Her pattern creations include

TEN TO SEN NO MOYOU SHISHU © 2017 Rieko Oka (ten to sen Moyou Seisaku jyo) © 2017 Graphic-sha Publishing Co., Ltd. This book was first designed and published in Japan in 2017 by Graphic-sha Publishing Co., Ltd. This English edition was published in 2026 by Get Creative 6, an imprint of Mixed Media Resources, LLC. English translation rights arranged with GRAPHIC-SHA PUBLISHING CO., LTD. through Japan UNI Agency, Inc., Tokyo and LibriSource Inc.

.......................................................................................

themes of scenery, animals, plants, seasonal

Original Edition Creative Staff

changes, and daily life. Rieko’s products are

Photos: Noriko Matsumoto

available for purchase at exhibitions, select

Production cooperation: Makiko Kumakura, Mihoko Yamashiro

stores, the “ten to sen Moyou Seisaku jyo”

Drawings: Wade Co., Ltd.

website, and her own store.

Editing: Ryoko Kasai

http://www.tentosen.info/

Material offered by OUTLET FABRICS, DMC [Dollfus-Mieg & Cie, S.A.] Photography cooperation: NORWEGIAN ICONS All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage-and-retrieval systems—without permission of the publisher.

The written instructions, photographs, designs, projects, and patterns are intended for the personal, noncommercial use of the retail purchaser and are under federal copyright laws; they are not to be reproduced in any form for commercial use.

Permission is granted to photocopy for the personal use of the retail purchaser.

The EEA authorized representative is Authorised Rep Compliance Ltd., Ground Floor, 71 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin, D02 P593, Ireland (www.arccompliance.com).

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Oka, Rieko, 1981- author Title: Drawing with thread : 20 nature-inspired embroidery patterns for all seasons / Rieko Oka. Other titles: Ten To Sen Moyou Seisakujo. English Description: First english edition. | New York : Get Creative 6, 2026. | Previously published under title: Ten To Sen Moyou Seisakujo. | Text in English. Translation from Japanese.

Identifiers: LCCN 2026018054 | ISBN 9781684621224 paperback Subjects: LCSH: Embroidery | LCGFT: Patterns (Instructional works) Classification: LCC TT771 .O53 2026 | DDC 746.44/041--dc23/eng/20260413 LC record available at https://lccn.loc. gov/2026018054 ISBN: 978-1-68462-122-4 Manufactured in China 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 First English Edition

CRAFTS & HOBBIES | NEEDLEWORK | EMBROIDERY

Discover the joy of embroidery in this charming collection of

20 stitching patterns inspired by nature and landscapes. With endless ways to customize motifs, plus six step-by-step projects putting your creations to use, you can make each pattern your own in no time. $16.99 US I S B N: 978-1-68462-122-4