Measuring Your Fabric

Most charted designs published today include in the key or description a list telling the stitcher what size the design will be if worked on several different counts of fabric. Make careful note of the finished size desired and the fabric count desired. Bring your pattern with you to the store if at all possible so that person cutting the fabric can double check this for you.

If you always buy pre-packed fabrics, it is even more important to read the guidelines correctly. (Like carpenters, we want to measure twice, cut once.)

If I am going to frame the finished project as is, or do a “soft” finishing (pillow, bellpull, etc.), I always cut the fabric 6 inches larger than both dimensions (5x7 design area gets an 11x13 piece of fabric). This allows 3 inches of fabric all around. If I think I will be framing the complete work with mats around it, I add 10 inches to the dimensions, thus allowing 5 inches on all sides for ease of framing.

If you are purchasing pre-packaged fabric, larger is better – you can always cut to size and use the remainder for another project. If the remainder is not large enough to do anything with, do not trim the fabric.

To start stitching, find the middle of the design on the chart by using the center arrows and find the middle of your fabric. Start stitching here. Always starting in the middle of the design and fabric ensures that the design will be centered on the piece of fabric you have cut. 

Information from Cross Country Stitching Magazine columns "Ask Judie" - Judie Solomon, Thistle Needleworks & "Carol’s Crafty Corner" - Carol Rice, The Craft Menagerie

Return to FAQs page