Sassi di Matera 🇮🇹

Story of the Sassi di Matera design

Do you love Italy and embroidery? Then Sassi di Matera embroidery design is the perfect combination for you!

Furthermore, it's great beginner pattern for you who wish to learn how to embroider. The design will take you in the idyllic village Sassi di Matera in south east Italy. You will travel to the old town referred to as the Sassi of Matera, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993.

In the midst of the protected Sassi, are a number of renowned church-caves that date back to the 10th millennia BC. The town Matera itself is slightly younger (!) as it was created in 251 BC. One might wonder why the town wasn't a heritage site sooner than 1993. Researchers argue that Matera is one of the oldest inhabited town of the world, which makes it an extraordinary design to stitch. To best capture the silhouettes, we recommend to use the back stitch technique.

It will allow you to stitch neat and fine lines, to maintain the clean finishing. For details you get to experiment with miniature French knots.

Charles chose to stitch them with red and yellow flowers. However, if you'd rather like to keep the historic perspective, you're able to either skip them or stitch the bushes in a darker green nuance.

Embroidery stitches used in this pattern:

• Back stitch

• Straight stitch

• French knot

You can learn how to embroider the above techniques in this article or via our free video stitch library Going Knots .

Materials you need to complete this embroidery design:

• 🖼️ Cotton canvas (or any non-stretch and non-transparent cotton fabric such as Duck canvas 7oz)

• 🖼️ Embroidery hoop of 18cm (7")

• 🎨Embroidery needle (We love to use 1-5 Bohin France or DMC needles)

• 🧵 Embroidery floss (DMC colour codes are indicated on your pattern pdf)

• ✂️ Scissor

• 📝 Carbon paper for transfer (Alternatively solvy paper, iron-on pen or any other transfer method of your preference)

• 🖊️ Pointy ball point pen

• 📏 Optional: Small ruler

Here is an article with more information about the various materials that we use.

BONUSES

→ Included in your pattern pdf is a video tutorial on how to transfer our architectural hand embroidery designs with carbon paper.

→ Upon purchase you will also receive an invitation to our supportive Private Facebook community that is available only for stitchers of our designs and courses.

Learn more with online courses

Are you keen to dive deeper into the Architectural hand embroidery style?

Then you’d want to have a look at our in depth Architectural hand embroidery and threadpainting courses on Charles and Elin Academy!

In addition to courses on Architectural designs we also offer other inspiring courses to support you on your exploration of modern hand embroidery.