Patterns: Helen M Stevens

Vivienne Wells from Vivebooks, very kindly sent me a copy of the Tawny Owl pattern by Helen M Stevens, to have a go at, the above photo is my attempt. The pattern recommends using Piper Silks or other silk embroidery floss, however I used DMC. I also used two strands of DMC and not the recommended one (if you were to use normal embroidery floss). I also did change the colours a bit, you can see the pattern more expertly embroidered here.

Helen M Stevens has designed a wide range of nature and animal patterns, each pattern pack has very comprehensive instructions, with diagrams that clearly show which colours to use and which direction you should stitch in. Helen's patterns are subtitled 'one simple stitch' and that is very true, as the owl above is just created with one simple stitch, the satin stitch, which makes seemingly complex designs, quite achievable.