Maple Leaves and Winged Seeds

Two deeply lobed autumn leaves spread from a slender twig above a pair of winged seeds.

56 × 56squares

839full crosses

4colors

Design size

4.00 × 4.00 in

Cut at least 10.50 × 10.50 in of Aida

The project bundle includes the complete symbol chart, DMC thread list, stitch order and illustrated finishing plan. See the finishing steps.

Stitch mode

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The plant in this pattern

Acer palmatum

Japanese maple leaves have several deep lobes radiating from one attachment point.
Paired winged fruits, called samaras, hang from short stalks.
Red, orange and gold are an autumn palette chosen for this original motif.

An original, simplified full-cross interpretation of the plant. The preview is a chart simulation.

Plant reference: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Acer palmatum.

Stitching focus: Preserve the deep gaps between leaf lobes and the two samara wings.

Your colors & materials

Estimate includes 20% extra. Tension and thread travel can change usage.

Symbol & color	Stitches	Single-strand length	Skein equivalent	Buy if needed
A DMC 433 - Medium Brown	143	3.77 m	0.079	1 skein
B DMC 326 - Very Dark Rose	294	7.53 m	0.157	1 skein
C DMC 721 - Medium Orange Spice	163	4.19 m	0.087	1 skein
D DMC 729 - Medium Old Gold	239	6.18 m	0.129	1 skein

A six-strand 8 m skein supplies 48 m of single strands. Use matching colors from your stash, or buy at least one skein per color. Screen colors are a guide.

Use the listed DMC Article 117 six-strand cotton numbers for this palette. Names and numbers were checked against the manufacturer list; screen swatches are illustrations, not calibrated thread colors. Compare real skeins before stitching. These projects have not been physically sample-stitched.

DMC Article 117 number and name list · 4 selected thread colors; sewing thread is separate.

Also gather a blunt tapestry needle, a hoop and scissors. Estimated stitching time: 5.3–9.3 hours at 90–160 stitches/hour. This estimate has not been timed by a stitcher.

From first stitch to finish

Twig junctions

Begin with the brown twig at the bottom and work upward to its fork. Count the short attachments for both leaves and the seed pair.
Large leaf outline

Work the red lobed silhouette on the left. Leave all deep cuts open to the surrounding fabric.
Orange folds and veins

Fill the orange inner areas, then the narrow brown veins. Count each vein from the same leaf attachment point.
Smaller gold leaf

Stitch the upper-right gold leaf and its orange vein. Use its own lobe counts instead of copying the large leaf.
Winged seeds

Work the gold left wing and orange right wing below the leaves. Add the two brown seed bodies at their joined inner ends.
Check the open gaps

Follow every leaf cut and the gap between the seed wings. Secure threads within their own shapes and center the twig and leaves together for hoop finishing.

This design includes 19 intentional single stitches in details or stepped edges. End and restart the thread when a gap is longer than five squares.

From stitches to a finished piece

Maple Leaves and Winged Seeds · 14 count Aida

A gathered hoop display

Check the chart corners against the hoop opening, allow cloth for the rim and gather the back before adding felt.

Whole chart: 4.00 × 4.00 inIncludes the empty chart squares.
Working cloth: 10.50 × 10.50 inStart with this larger piece while stitching.
Finishing trim: 10.25 in diameterCut this only after stitching and all fit checks.
Finished size: 7.00 × 7.00 inRound hoop body; screw and hanger project beyond it.
Backing: 6.75 in diameterDry fit before attaching.

The entered dimensions fit. Measure your supplies before cutting.

All four chart corners fit the opening with at least 0.25 in radial clearance.
The entered inner ring and outer hoop diameters have a consistent order.
The 10.50 × 10.50 in working cloth contains the entire finishing trim line.

Minimum clear opening: 6.16 inWhole-chart diagonal 5.66 in + twice the 0.25 in radial margin.
Measured clear opening: 6.50 inMeasure the inner opening across its centre; a shop size is only a starting estimate.
Hoop outside / rim depth: 7.00 in / 0.38 inOutside diameter excludes the screw. Depth is the front-to-back height of the rim.
Extra cloth beyond the outer hoop: 1.63 inAllow 0.38 in over the rim plus 1.25 in to gather on the back, on every side.

Finishing supplies

Completed Aida still on its full working cloth
A measured round display hoop with inner and outer rings
Felt, strong sewing thread, sharp needle, ruler and scissors
A paper circle for a dry fit; optional ribbon tied securely around the screw bracket

These are measured-layout plans and original assembly diagrams. Fabric stretch, bulk, tape adhesion and the finished object have not been physically sample-tested. Make a paper dry fit and measure your actual supplies before cutting.

Diagrams are not full-size templates. Use the written dimensions and check any printer scale before tracing.

1. Measure the clear opening
Measure the inside of the inner ring across its centre. This chart needs at least 6.16 in: its whole-chart diagonal plus 0.25 in at both ends. Make a paper chart rectangle and centre it in the opening.
Check: All four corners have the planned clearance. A width-only test misses the corners.
Measure the clear opening · schematic, not to scale
2. Reserve cloth for the rim and back
Measure the assembled outside diameter (7.00 in here), inner-ring outside diameter (6.75 in), and rim depth (0.38 in). Beyond the outer hoop allow depth plus 1.25 in to gather: a total trim diameter of 10.25 in.
Check: The full circle fits inside the working cloth. If it does not, keep the cloth uncut and choose larger cloth or another finish.
Reserve cloth for the rim and back · schematic, not to scale
3. Centre and tighten the hoop
Put the inner ring below the fabric and the outer ring above it, screw at the top. Align the chart centre with the opening centre. Tighten gradually, keeping the fabric grain straight; recheck the front after every adjustment.
Check: The front is smooth, the chart is square and the border is even. Do this before cutting.
Centre and tighten the hoop · schematic, not to scale
4. Cut the circular allowance
With fit and centring confirmed, mark a circle 10.25 in across, centred on the hoop. Check the mark lies on cloth all the way around before cutting. Keep the entire 1.63 in beyond the outside rim.
Check: A strip of missing cloth cannot be replaced by pulling harder. Stop if any part of the circle falls off the fabric.
Cut the circular allowance · schematic, not to scale
5. Gather the fabric to the back
Turn the hoop over. Run a strong thread around the fabric edge about 6 mm in from the cut, with small running stitches. Pull evenly so the cloth folds over the rim and gathers inward. Check the front again, then knot the gathering thread securely.
Check: The gathered cloth sits inside the back. It does not pull the chart off centre.
Gather the fabric to the back · schematic, not to scale
6. Trace and fit the backing
Trace the outside of the actual inner ring on felt; the entered diameter is 6.75 in. Cut a paper test circle first, then felt. Lay it over the gathered back so the raw edges and gathering thread are covered.
Check: Adjust the felt to the hardware; do not cut away the Aida gathering allowance to make the felt fit.
Trace and fit the backing · schematic, not to scale
7. Sew felt to gathered cloth
Work a small whip stitch around the felt edge, catching the gathered cloth behind it. Keep the needle in the back layers so it does not pierce the displayed front. Use relaxed tension and bury the final knot and tail beneath the felt.
Check: The felt is secure all around and the front has no new needle marks or puckers.
Sew felt to gathered cloth · schematic, not to scale
8. Check the display and hanger
Inspect the centred front and covered back. Retighten the hoop only if it is loose. Use the hoop screw bracket or a securely tied ribbon as the hanger; check the chosen wall hook supports the hoop. Keep the work indoors and dry.
Check: The hoop remains secure under a gentle lift and the fabric has not slipped.
Check the display and hanger · schematic, not to scale