Make a coaster

1. Download and print the chart from sewmag.co.uk. Cut a 14cm square of embroidery canvas, then thread the needle with six strands of dark green embroidery thread. Count in seven holes from the left-hand side and five holes up from the left-hand base corner; this is the starting point for the first stitch. Pass the needle up from the back of the canvas, leaving a 3cm tail of thread.

2. Hold onto the tail whilst passing the needle through to the back to form half of the leaf shape. Reverse the sequence to complete the leaf. Repeat four more times. For the next row, thread the needle with light green thread. Repeat the process.

3. The first leaf will be the right-hand side of the motif. Stitch four whole leaves followed by the left-hand side of a leaf to complete the row, creating a straight edge to the sides of the embroidery. Change to beige thread and sew five whole leaves. The pattern slots into each other as the motif is repeated up the five rows of leaves.

4. Complete one row of beige leaves, then change to pale yellow thread and stitch a row with half leaves at either end. For the fifth row, sew three whole leaves in yellow, change to pink thread and stitch one leaf. Complete the row with one yellow leaf. Using the remaining chart, at the top and base of the piece fill in the gaps with a seven-point sequence, again reversing the sequence to complete the arrowhead shape. Trim the edges of the canvas to create a 1cm border around all four sides.

5. Cut a 15cm x 15.5cm rectangle of linen fabric, then fold and press in 1cm on all four edges.