Ginkgo Trail Bookmark
546 stitches · Full crosses only
Stitch preview · simulated from the actual chart
Lavender Bookmark
A tied lavender bundle framed by two slender borders.
24 × 64squares
660full crosses
4colors
Design size
1.71 × 4.57 inCut at least 7.75 × 10.75 in of Aida
The PDF project bundle includes a symbol chart, DMC thread list, stitch order, felt-back finishing steps and a full-size cut-and-fold template. See the finishing steps.
Free, complete PDFs. No account needed. Your choices stay on this device.
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 209 - Dark Lavender | 243 | 6.26 m | 0.130 | 1 skein |
| B DMC 367 - Dark Pistachio Green | 67 | 1.79 m | 0.037 | 1 skein |
| C DMC 368 - Light Pistachio Green | 94 | 2.55 m | 0.053 | 1 skein |
| D DMC 729 - Medium Old Gold | 256 | 6.53 m | 0.136 | 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: 4.1–7.3 hours at 90–160 stitches/hour. This estimate has not been timed by a stitcher.
From first stitch to finish
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Prepare your fabric
Cut the suggested fabric size, secure the edges with a zigzag or overcast stitch, and place it in a hoop without stretching the weave.
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Find the center
Fold the fabric lightly in both directions. Align the fold intersection with the chart center at column boundary 12 and row boundary 32. Count to the first filled square; blank squares stay unstitched.
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Start the first thread
Separate the selected number of strands from six-strand cotton floss. Use a blunt tapestry needle. Leave a short tail on the back and secure it under the first four or five stitches; avoid a knot.
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Follow the color order
Work A (DMC 209), B (DMC 367), C (DMC 368), then D (DMC 729). Start each color in a block near the chart center and count outward. Keep the two slender borders aligned using the numbered ten-square lines. End and restart across blank gaps longer than five squares.
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Keep your count
One symbol is one full cross over one Aida square. Make lower diagonals in the same direction and top diagonals in the same direction. Check every ten-square line. End and restart thread across gaps longer than five squares.
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Finish neatly
Run each ending tail under four or five stitches on the back, then trim. Remove the hoop between sessions. Follow the floss maker's care instructions before washing or pressing; avoid pressing directly on the stitched front.
This design includes 1 intentional single stitches in details or stepped edges. End and restart the thread when a gap is longer than five squares.
Finish your bookmark
After stitching: trim Aida to 2.86 × 5.71 in; fold 4 squares (0.29 in) under on each edge. Finished bookmark and felt backing: 2.29 × 5.14 in. Keep 4 blank squares outside every edge of the 24 x 64 chart before the fold. These finishing sizes are separate from the larger working fabric above.
Gather the finishing supplies
- Thin, non-fraying felt for one backing panel, cut to the finished dimensions below. Choose a light neutral color so it does not show through the Aida.
- Matching sewing thread, a sharp hand-sewing needle, ruler, removable fabric marker and small clips. Keep the blunt tapestry needle for the cross stitches.
- A clean towel and an iron set for your fabric and thread, if their care instructions permit pressing.
The project bundle and Materials PDF include a full-size cut-and-fold template for your chosen fabric count. Print the template at 100% / Actual size and check its 1-inch ruler. Keep the chart at a readable size; chart squares are enlarged for stitching.
Secure and flatten the stitching
Run each floss tail under four or five stitches on the back and trim it. Remove the hoop. Follow the fabric and floss care instructions; if washing, let the work dry fully. Press from the back on a clean towel, without stretching the weave. Check the count and borders before cutting.
Mark the fold and trim lines
Use the full 24 x 64 chart rectangle, including its blank cells, as the measuring reference. Count four blank Aida squares beyond each edge for the visible border; this is the fold line. Count four more squares beyond each fold line for the fold allowance; this is the trim line. Mark all four sides. The trim rectangle is 40 x 80 squares and the folded front is 32 x 72 squares. Do not measure from the outermost colored stitch.
Trim and fold the Aida
Cut on the outer trim lines only after checking all four allowances. Fold each long edge under by four squares, then each short edge by four squares. Tuck the corners flat without cutting toward the stitches. Clip in place and press gently if permitted. Keep all raw Aida edges inside the folded front.
Cut and fit the backing
Cut one thin felt panel to the finished dimensions for your selected fabric count. Lay it over the reverse, aligned with the folded front. Trim tiny protruding felt fibers as needed. The panel should cover the raw allowances without showing beyond the front; use clips instead of pins through the design.
Sew the backing around all four edges
With a sharp sewing needle and matching sewing thread, hide the starting knot between the felt and the folded allowance. Use small slip stitches about 3 mm apart, catching only the felt edge and the turned-under Aida allowance. Keep the needle out of the stitched front. Sew all four sides, take two small securing stitches in the allowance, hide the thread end between the layers and trim it. The design itself uses only full crosses; this edge sewing is a separate finishing step.
Check the finished bookmark
Check that no raw Aida edge or loose tail is exposed, that the corners lie flat and that the seam holds with a gentle tug. Slip the bookmark between spare book pages to check its thickness. Store it flat. Follow both the floss and felt care instructions for cleaning the assembled bookmark.
From stitches to a finished piece
Lavender Bookmark · 14 count Aida
A felt-backed bookmark
Keep a counted border, fold the Aida edges and hand-sew a flat felt back.
- Whole chart
- 1.71 × 4.57 inIncludes the empty chart squares.
- Working cloth
- 7.75 × 10.75 inStart with this larger piece while stitching.
- Finishing trim
- 2.86 × 5.71 inCut this only after stitching and all fit checks.
- Finished size
- 2.29 × 5.14 inThe visible finished object.
- Backing
- 2.29 × 5.14 inDry fit before attaching.
The entered dimensions fit. Measure your supplies before cutting.
- The 7.75 × 10.75 in working cloth contains the entire finishing trim line.
- Visible border on every side
- 4 squares / 0.29 inKeep this blank border outside the entire chart.
- Fold under on every side
- 4 squares / 0.29 inThe fold allowance is added outside the visible border.
Finishing supplies
- Completed Aida, with the working allowance still attached
- Felt cut to the finished bookmark size
- Matching sewing thread, sharp hand-sewing needle and scissors
- Ruler, removable marker and clips; an iron suitable for your fabric
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. Secure the stitching
On the back, pass each thread tail under several existing stitches. Remove the hoop. If your materials allow pressing, lay the work face down on a clean towel and press gently from the back.
Check: The front keeps its raised crosses; no loose thread tail reaches an edge.
Secure the stitching · schematic, not to scale 2. Count the border and fold lines
Find the edges of the entire 24 × 64 chart, including blank squares. Count 4 blank squares beyond each edge for the fold line, then 4 more for the trim line. Finished size: 2.29 × 5.14 in.
Check: Measure opposite edges before cutting. The solid outer line and the dashed fold line are different.
Count the border and fold lines · schematic, not to scale 3. Cut the larger rectangle
After the fit checks pass, trim the Aida to 2.86 × 5.71 in. Follow a fabric thread so the cut stays square. Keep the corners intact for this simple overlapping fold.
Check: Every fold line remains inside the cut fabric with the full allowance.
Cut the larger rectangle · schematic, not to scale 4. Turn the raw edges to the back
With the back facing up, fold both long edges under by 4 squares (0.29 in). Fold the short edges next. Hold the corners flat with clips; keep folds outside the visible border.
Check: The front measures the planned finished size. Reopen uneven folds before sewing.
Turn the raw edges to the back · schematic, not to scale 5. Add the felt backing
Cut felt to 2.29 × 5.14 in. Lay it on the back to cover the raw edges. Check that it reaches all folded edges without showing beyond the front; adjust only the felt after a dry fit.
Check: Aida front faces out; folded raw edges and thread tails sit between Aida and felt.
Add the felt backing · schematic, not to scale 6. Slip stitch around all four edges
Start with a small knot hidden between the layers. Pick up a tiny bite of the Aida fold and then the felt edge, alternating around all four sides. Keep stitches about 3–4 mm apart and the thread relaxed. Bury the finishing knot and tail between layers.
Check: No sewing thread crosses the stitched design. Add a small extra stitch at any open corner.
Slip stitch around all four edges · schematic, not to scale 7. Check the bookmark in use
Inspect front, back and corners, then place it between two paper sheets. If an edge curls, ease the sewing tension and flatten the fold before resewing. Keep the finished bookmark dry and avoid pulling it by the stitches.
Check: The bookmark lies flat, the felt is secure and every raw edge is covered.
Check the bookmark in use · schematic, not to scale
See the chart before you print
