Strelitzia and Sugar Birds, South Africa Cross Stitch Pattern – Marianne North
Pattern Details:
- PatternKeeper Compatible
- Five finished sizes to choose from
- Regular and large print charts included
- Detailed instructions and floss amount conversion chart included
- Full stitches only - no half or quarters stitches, no backstitching
Celebrate the vivid beauty of South Africa with Strelitzia and Sugar Birds Cross Stitch Pattern by Marianne North. Painted in 1879 during her travels through the Cape region, this exquisite composition features the striking Strelitzia reginae — known as the Bird of Paradise flower — paired with two shimmering Cape sugarbirds, whose long tails and iridescent plumage complement the plant’s sculptural blooms.
Marianne North (1830–1890) was a pioneering Victorian botanical artist and explorer who devoted her life to painting the natural world in its native habitats. Her work blends botanical precision with artistic brilliance, capturing not just individual species but entire ecosystems alive with color and movement. This painting, part of the Marianne North Collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London), exemplifies her mastery of composition and her fascination with the harmony between flora and fauna.
This museum-quality, full-coverage cross-stitch pattern faithfully preserves North’s original palette and fine detail. It includes regular and large-print charts, five finished size options, step-by-step instructions, and a floss amount conversion chart to simplify preparation. Perfect for experienced stitchers and art lovers alike, it offers a luminous celebration of nature’s artistry — from the elegant arch of each petal to the gleam of a bird’s feathers.
This chart is a Digital Download. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free program, to read and print out the file. If you don't have Acrobat Reader CLICK HERE to download. After your purchase is complete you will receive an e-mail with instructions to download your file. You will also have access to the download file when you are logged into your Serenity Stitchworks account.
Level of Difficulty:
Advanced
Finished Design Sizes:
X-Small Pattern:
204w x 288h stitches
14 count: 14.57 x 20.57 inches - 370mm x 523mm
18 count: 11.33 x 16.00 inches - 288mm x 406mm
20 count: 10.20 x 14.40 inches - 259mm x 366mm
22 count: 9.27 x 13.09 inches - 236mm x 333mm
Number of floss colors in the design: 77 (DMC cotton floss) No blended colors
Small Pattern:
229w x 324h stitches
14 count: 16.36 x 23.14 inches - 415mm x 588mm
18 count: 12.72 x 18.00 inches - 323mm x 457mm
20 count: 11.45 x 16.20 inches - 291mm x 411mm
22 count: 10.41 x 14.73 inches - 264mm x 374mm
Number of floss colors in the design: 97 (DMC cotton floss) No blended colors
Medium Pattern:
255w x 360h stitches
14 count: 18.21 x 25.71 inches - 463mm x 653mm
18 count: 14.17 x 20.00 inches - 360mm x 508mm
20 count: 12.75 x 18.00 inches - 324mm x 457mm
22 count: 11.59 x 16.36 inches - 294mm x 416mm
Number of floss colors in the design: 97 (DMC cotton floss) No blended colors
Large Pattern:
306w x 432h stitches
14 count: 21.86 x 30.86 inches - 555mm x 784mm
18 count: 17.00 x 24.00 inches - 432mm x 610mm
20 count: 15.30 x 21.60 inches - 389mm x 549mm
22 count: 13.91 x 19.64 inches - 353mm x 499mm
Number of floss colors in the design: 97 (DMC cotton floss) No blended colors
X-Large Pattern:
331w x 468h stitches
14 count: 23.64 x 33.43 inches - 601mm x 849mm
18 count: 18.39 x 26.00 inches - 467mm x 660mm
20 count: 16.55 x 23.40 inches - 420mm x 594mm
22 count: 15.05 x 21.27 inches - 382mm x 540mm
Number of floss colors in the design: 97 (DMC cotton floss) No blended colors.
Fabric size necessary for design:
Add six inches to both length and width (3" on each side)
