Expert: Kris - 3/4/2010

Question
I have a pattern from Heritage Stitchcraft that says "Worked on Zweigart fabric using DMC stranded cottons.  Approximate design size: (27 count) 8.5"x7" (21.5x18cm)".  My sister wants to use 14 vice 27 stitch count.  Using the Convert Stitch Count to Inches table we used the following formula to find the finished measurement in inches:W (8.5"x1.875")=16"  H (7"x1.875")=13". Is this approach correct.  Looks like the size almost doubles when you go from 27 to 14 stitch count.  Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Regards, Ray

Answer
Ray,

I will be happy to help you with this! Typically, when you work on 27 count, you are stitching over 2 (each stitch covers 4 squares on the fabric instead of 1). Now this means that when you are working on 27 count, you will get 13.5 stitches per inch. On 14 count, you stitch over 1, you get 14 stitches per inch.  The way to figure the size to cut the fabric is to use the following formula -

stitch count/fabric count = size of design + waste fabric around edge for finishing = fabric size

Based on your design size, your approximate stitch count is 115 x 95. Let's use these numbers and 14 count fabric.

115/14 = 8.2 or 8 + 6 (3 inches per side for finishing) = 14 inches and

95/14 = 6.8 or 7 + 6 = 13.

So the cut size of the fabric would 14" x 13".

And just so you know, when you are stitching over 2, make sure to divide the fabric count in half before plugging it into the formula. That compensates for the number of stitches per inch.

I hope this makes sense. Please feel free to ask me any other questions that you may have!

Happy Stitching!
Kris