A Monarch butterfly spreads its wings wide, its bold black veining framing warm panels of orange, tangerine, and gold, with delicate spotted borders along every edge. It’s a striking, nature-inspired design worked in DMC thread across a wide 200 × 146 stitch grid.
The background is left unstitched around the butterfly, so the finished piece has a clean, illustrative look once it’s framed or hooped. Below you’ll find the pattern facts, materials list, color key, and all four pattern file downloads.
In This Article
Difficulty: Intermediate
Fabric: Aida, 14–28 count
Stitch Count: 200 × 146 stitches
Finished Size: from 7.1″ × 5.2″ (28 ct) up to 14.3″ × 10.4″ (14 ct) — see the full size table in the FAQ
Colors: 16 DMC thread colors
Estimated Time: roughly 20–32 hours, varying by skill level and stitching pace
Pattern Preview
Materials & Supplies
- This pattern download — the Color Chart, Black & White Chart, a One Page Pattern version, and a Pattern Keeper app file are all included
- Aida fabric, 14 to 28 count. Recommended colors: White, Antique White, Cream, Ivory, Light Beige, Natural, Soft Gray, or Natural Linen-Look Aida
- DMC brand embroidery floss — this pattern calls for 16 colors, mostly warm oranges, golds, and browns, plus one near-black shade that anchors the wing veining
- Tapestry needle, size 24–26
- Embroidery scissors
- Hoop or Q-snap frame — this design is wide rather than tall, so a standard hoop worked in sections is plenty
- Use 2 strands of thread for all cross stitching
Tips for This Pattern
Before you start stitching
- DMC 3371 (Black Brown) makes up the largest share of stitches here — it forms the wing veining and outer borders. Stitching that outline first helps anchor the rest of the design.
- The wing panels rely on several closely related oranges and golds (Tangerine, Tangerine – Medium, Topaz shades) — good, consistent light makes those much easier to tell apart.
- Work one wing at a time, matching the mirrored pattern on the opposite side as you go, rather than jumping between all four wing sections.
- Since the background is left unstitched, keep your tension even along the wing edges and antennae so the design stays crisp against the bare fabric.
Color & Symbol Guide
Download the Pattern
Color Chart Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadBlack & White Chart Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadOne Page Pattern
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadPattern Keeper App File
Watch Ad to Unlock DownloadFAQ
What brand of thread does this pattern use?
This pattern is charted for DMC brand thread. The color key lists all 16 DMC numbers used, along with the name and stitch count for each.
What fabric size should I use?
Finished size depends on the Aida count you choose:
| Aida Count | Finished Size |
|---|---|
| 14 ct | 14.3″ × 10.4″ / 36.3 × 26.5 cm |
| 16 ct | 12.5″ × 9.1″ / 31.8 × 23.2 cm |
| 18 ct | 11.1″ × 8.1″ / 28.2 × 20.6 cm |
| 20 ct | 10.0″ × 7.3″ / 25.4 × 18.5 cm |
| 22 ct | 9.1″ × 6.6″ / 23.1 × 16.9 cm |
| 25 ct | 8.0″ × 5.8″ / 20.3 × 14.8 cm |
| 28 ct | 7.1″ × 5.2″ / 18.1 × 13.2 cm |
Is this a full coverage design?
No — the background is left unstitched around the butterfly, so the fabric itself shows through. This gives the finished piece a clean, illustrative look rather than a filled-in scene.
How long does this pattern take to complete?
Plan on roughly 20–32 hours in total. The wide wingspan and the amount of dark veining add a bit more time than a similarly sized design with a simpler outline.
What’s included in the download?
Four files: the full-color chart, a black & white chart you can print and mark up by hand, a condensed one-page version of the pattern, and a file formatted for the Pattern Keeper app if you prefer to stitch from your phone or tablet.
Conclusion
This Monarch butterfly is a bold, eye-catching stitch — a manageable 16-color palette and a wide, symmetrical wingspan make it a striking piece for a nature-lover’s wall, without demanding a huge time commitment.
Grab all four pattern files below, sort your floss, and settle in. We’d love to see your progress if you share it!
