Expert: Angela - 9/14/2006

Question

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Is there a certain formula to come up with that for other counts of fabric or is it always doubled?
Followup To

Question -
I have a pattern from a magazine that says to use 25 count evenweave material.  I would rather do it on either 14 or 18 count Aida fabric.  Is there any conversion I have to do for counting squares or anything or just follow the pattern.  
 I'm still kind of new at cross stitch and I wondered if it made a difference on how to count squares and start the project.

Answer -
Hello, Penny :)

You can stitch any project onto any size of cloth that you wish.  The only difference is that it'll be larger if stitched onto 14 count than it will be on 25 count evenweave.  Evenweave fabrics are typically stitched over 2 threads of the fabric itself, using 2 strands of floss.  With 14 count Aida, you can use either 2 or 3 strands of floss for your project.

When stitching onto 14 count Aida, be sure to take the actual size of the project, and then add an additional 12 inches to the numbers.  (ie.  If a project is 12 1/2" x 18 3/4", you will cut the fabric to 24 1/2" x 32 3/4").  This will allow a 6" margin all around for framing, as well as extra "cushion" when stitching your project.  I hope that makes sense.

Good luck, and happy stitching! :)

Sincerely,

Angela :)

Answer
Hello, Penny :)

No formula, actually.  You just allow an additional 6" all around the design so that you can have extra as a "boundary" for your design (in case your design is bigger than what you first thought).  Also, it's good to have extra for framing so that you can wrap the excess around the mounting board.

I hope that makes sense.  Good luck, and happy stitching. :)

Sincerely,

Angela