TE AMO FRIDA Embroidery Pattern: Stitch Atlas Guide

By SUBLIME STITCHING Contemporary Embroidery Design since 2001 | Published: 2026-10-24

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to use the TE AMO FRIDA PDF pattern and Stitch Atlas to embroider Frida Kahlo's portrait with confidence, from tracing to final stitches.

Quick answer

The TE AMO FRIDA PDF pattern from Sublime Stitching includes a Stitch Atlas that tells you exactly which colors, stitches, and thread thickness to use, making portrait embroidery approachable even if you're new to stitching faces.

Why the Stitch Atlas makes a difference

Portrait embroidery can feel intimidating because you need to capture likeness and expression. The Stitch Atlas in this pattern removes guesswork by mapping specific stitches to each area of Frida's face, hair, and accessories. Instead of deciding on the fly, you follow a visual guide that suggests stitch density and thread weight for realistic shading.

Choosing your fabric and hoop

The pattern works best on medium-weight cotton or linen that holds tension without distorting. Use a hoop that keeps the fabric drum-tight while you stitch—this prevents puckering around the portrait's fine lines. A 6- to 8-inch hoop gives you enough room to work the full face without repositioning too often.

How to stitch the TE AMO FRIDA portrait

Print and trace the pattern: Print the PDF at 100% scale (do not fit to page). Tape the printed design to a light source like a window, center your fabric over it, and trace the outlines with a water-soluble pen or pencil. Trace only the major shapes—fine details like eyelashes can be added freehand later. If your fabric shifts while tracing, use painter's tape to secure the corners to the printed page.
Mount fabric in your hoop: Place the traced fabric in your embroidery hoop with the design centered. Tighten the screw until the fabric is drum-tight and doesn't wrinkle when you press on it. Smooth any ripples outward from the center before fully tightening. Loose fabric causes uneven stitches and distorted proportions—re-tighten the hoop as you work.
Select your first color and stitch: Refer to the Stitch Atlas for the first area (usually the background or hair). Use the suggested stitch type—for example, long and short stitch for skin shading, or satin stitch for solid color blocks. Start with a single strand for fine details and two strands for larger fills. Avoid jumping across large empty spaces with the thread on the back—it can show through the fabric. End and restart instead.
Build the portrait layer by layer: Work from the back layers forward: stitch the hair and background first, then the skin tones, and finally the facial features and accessories. This layering keeps edges clean and prevents the darker threads from bleeding into lighter areas. If a stitch crosses a boundary you haven't stitched yet, leave a small gap to tuck the thread end under later.
Add final details and finish: Once the main areas are filled, use backstitch or split stitch for the eyes, eyebrows, and lips. Keep these lines thin and consistent. When you're satisfied, soak the fabric in cool water to remove the tracing lines, then iron flat on the reverse side. Test the water-solubility of your pen on a scrap first—some permanent markers won't wash out.

Product details

TE AMO FRIDA - PDF Embroidery Portrait Pattern & Stitch Atlas™ by Jenny Hart: This 8-page PDF includes the portrait for you to print out and trace, and explains exactly which colors and stitches to use on the design. It also suggests how thick or thin to make your stitches. You don't need to guess thread weight or stitch placement—the Stitch Atlas gives you a clear roadmap, so you can focus on stitching rather than planning.
TE AMO FRIDA - PDF Embroidery Portrait Pattern & Stitch Atlas™ by Jenny Hart