DMC palette & stitching guide
Daffodil Mandalas Floral Medallion
A cheerful circular hoop design built from golden daffodils, soft pink filler blossoms, leafy green geometry, and a warm mandala center. The sample reads as fresh spring embroidery with satin-filled petals, raised trumpet centers, tidy leaf segments, and delicate bead-like accents around the medallion.
Suggested DMC Floss Palette
DMC 307 - LemonMain daffodil petals; bright top strokes and petal tips.
DMC 444 - Lemon DarkPetal body shade; blend with 307 for dimensional satin fill.
DMC 742 - Tangerine LightOuter trumpet cups, raised knots, and golden mandala spokes.
DMC 947 - Burnt OrangeDeep daffodil throat shadows and tiny warm centers.
DMC 3716 - Dusty Rose Very LightSmall pink blossoms and soft center medallion rays.
DMC 3354 - Dusty Rose LightPink flower shading, petal bases, and alternate medallion strokes.
DMC 739 - Tan Ultra Very LightHoop-neutral highlights, center cream stitches, and soft dots.
DMC 699 - GreenMedium leaves in the inner ring and filler foliage.
DMC 895 - Hunter Green Very DarkDeep leaf outlines, evergreen sprigs, and shadowed stems.
DMC 3011 - Khaki Green DarkMuted olive sprigs and background seed-dot accents.
Stitch Plan by Design Element
| Area | Recommended stitches | Thread count & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daffodil petals | Long and short stitch, satin stitch, split-stitch edge | Use 2 strands for fill. Work from petal tip toward center, changing direction slightly with each petal vein. |
| Trumpet cups | Padded satin, buttonhole ring, French knots | Pad with 2 strands of yellow first, then cover with 2 strands orange. Add 1-strand dark orange knots inside. |
| Pink blossoms | Lazy daisy, straight stitch spokes, small French knot centers | Use 2 strands dusty rose; add a single darker stitch at the base of each petal for depth. |
| Mandala center | Satin rays, whipped backstitch circle, couching for golden spokes | Keep thread tension even. Use 1 strand for circular outlines and 2 strands for radial fills. |
| Leaves & sprigs | Fishbone stitch, fly stitch, stem stitch | Use 2 strands medium green for leaves, 1 strand dark green for crisp central veins and needle-like sprigs. |
| Accent dots | French knots, colonial knots, tiny seed stitches | Use 1 or 2 wraps. Keep dots irregular but balanced around both sides of the medallion. |
Order of Stitching
Transfer the outer medallion lightly. Mark only the main flower positions and center circle so the design stays clean.
Stitch stems, leaf veins, and dark green sprigs first. These lines act as a map for the floral layers.
Fill the large daffodil petals with long-and-short stitches, keeping each petal direction separate.
Add padded orange trumpet cups after petals are complete so the centers sit visibly raised.
Work the center mandala and golden spokes, checking symmetry after every quarter turn of the hoop.
Finish with pink flowers, knots, and tiny seed accents to keep the surface texture fresh and raised.
Texture & Shading Guidance
Use stitch direction as the main shading tool. Daffodil petals should radiate from base to tip, while the trumpet centers should curve around the cup. Let the darkest orange sit inside the cup and under the ruffled edge. Leaves look best when split into two fishbone halves with a thin dark vein down the center.
For a dimensional medallion, keep the pink center flat and smooth, then raise the golden spoke ring with couched or whipped stitches. This contrast makes the center feel decorative without becoming bulky.
Beginner-Friendly Practical Tips
- Use a sharp embroidery needle for satin areas and a slightly larger needle for padded orange centers.
- Separate all six strands before recombining; this makes blended yellows lie smoother.
- Keep large satin stitches under 12 mm. For longer petals, use long-and-short instead of one long satin span.
- Rotate the hoop often so your hand naturally follows the petal or mandala direction.
- Outline daffodil petals with a fine split stitch before filling if you want a crisp beginner-friendly boundary.
- Use 1 strand for delicate outlines, 2 strands for most fills, and 3 strands only for bold raised knots.
- Place French knots last; they can catch working thread if added too early.
- Check the circular balance by stitching matching flowers opposite each other before filling every detail.
- For a softer look, replace dark green outlines with DMC 3011 on outer foliage.
- Press finished embroidery face down on a towel to protect padded cups and knots.
