Day of the Dead / Glendon Place

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death that originated in Mexico but is celebrated all over Latin America with colorful calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons). This particular design is considered the “anchor piece” of the Day of the Dead collection, which also includes a variety of sugar skulls.

Day of the Dead festivities unfold over two days in an explosion of color and life-affirming joy. Although the theme is death, the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members. Day of the Dead takes place on November 1 and 2 (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on the Catholic calendar). And although it takes place around the same time as the American holiday Halloween, the two annual events differ greatly in traditions and tone.

General Information: This design is considered the anchor piece in the Day of the Dead Collection, which will also include a variety of sugar skulls. When using Rainbow Gallery, the design is stitched using 1 thread of floss over 2 threads of fabric; while using regular floss, those portions of the design are stitched using 2 threads of floss over 2 threads of fabric. A total of 18 colors of Rainbow Gallery Petite Silk Lame’ Braid, 6 colors of Mill Hill Beads, and 2 colors of Sullivans floss were used in the model.

NOTE: I have provided Sullivans/DMC/and Anchor comparable colors to make stitching this design more affordable.  

Fabric: Stitched on 28ct Chalk Board Linen by Wichelt Imports, Inc.

Stitch Area: 270w X 170h

Stitch Count: 265w X 168h

Design Area: 18-7/8″w X 12″h. Suggest purchasing a fat quarter (18″ X 27″). The fabric is available below.