Bullion Stitch Roses

I've made quite of a few of these face wash and hand towels over the years and they are super easy to make once you've mastered the bullion stitch. The pattern is from Inspiration issue 22 (1999) and it usually takes me a good 7 hours to complete the embroidery. Given the effort, use good quality towels, and depending on how well you've anchored and ended the stitches, it washes really well in the machine.

The roses are created using the bullion stitches and my favourite pinks are DMC 601, 603 and 604 (darkest to lightest) and the green is DMC 703. I use to add blue french knots as per the instuctions in the book but find it looks messy at the back. Each bullion is created using 6 strands of DMC thread.

Large Rose

To create the large rose (in the middle):

• DMC 601 - make 3 bullion stitches consisting of 10 wraps each (to create three rows to make the centre of the rose)
• DMC 603 - make 4 bullion stitches consisting of 16 wraps each (surround the centre and slightly overlap to make the inner rose)
• DMC 604 - make 7 bullion stitches consisting of 20 wraps each (surround the inner rose and slightly overlap to make the outer rose)

Small Rose (left) and Bud (right)

To create the small rose (make two):

• DMC 603 - make 2 bullion stitches consisting of 10 wraps each
• DMC 604 - make 5 bullion stitches consisting of 16 wraps each

The bud is made (make two):

• DMC 601 - make 1 bullion stritches consisting of 10 wraps each
• DMC 603 - make 2 bullion stitches consisting of 10 wraps each
• DMC 604 - make 2 bullion stitches consisting of 10 wraps each

To finish off, stitch detached chain stitches to make leaves using DMC 703.

Inspiration, published by Country Bumpkin, issue 22 (1999)