Expert: Kris - 7/27/2009

Question
I recently purchased a cross stitch pattern - that was supposed to be a kit, but was not - and it came with no instructions. I have cross stitched projects for framing before, but this one came with a pattern that consists of 16 pages that are 8x10. As such the top portion of the design consists of 4 of those pages as they go accross. There is no markers for the center of the design as there has been for past projects I have done, so I have no idea where in the chart to start this project. Please help!

Answer
Michelle,

This piece sounds huge! Usually when a pattern has multiple pages the pattern actually overlaps. There should be two to five rows on each side of the pattern that are connecting to the rest of the design. These are the overlapping pattern. Once you have found these you can find the stitch count. For example if each page has 80 stitches going across and the last 5 are grey on the first sheet then the first 5 of the second sheet should also be grey. They overlap. So don't count them twice. So sheet one has 80 and sheet two has 75 (the first 5 don't count) and the next sheet will have 75 also (the first 5 overlap the second sheet) and the last sheet will have 75 also. Your stitch count would be 305. Half of that is 152 or 153. That means your center would be the 77th or 78th square on the second page which is also the 2nd or 3rd square on the third page. You would use the same technique working from top to bottom.

I hope I have not completely confused you! Also can I make another suggestion? If you only plan to stitch this once. Highlight the stitches on the pattern as you finish them. On the overlapping areas make sure to color both sheets! This will help you keep your place.

I know I like to start in the middle of a design, but on very large complex projects I will start in the top left hand corner. I love to watch the design develop on the fabric. I hope I was helpful. Pleaser feel free to ask me more questions as they come up!

Happy Stitching!
Kris