Explore guide
Add finishing margins without enlarging the stitched design
A 140 × 98-stitch design at 14 count over one measures 25.4 × 17.78 cm. A chosen 5 cm margin on every side needs 35.4 × 27.78 cm of fabric.
Related lessons and tools
A 140 × 98-stitch design at 14 count over one measures 25.4 × 17.78 cm. A chosen 5 cm margin on every side needs 35.4 × 27.78 cm of fabric.
Work through the example
- Choose a margin for the actual mounting, hoop handling and edge finish. The example’s 5 cm is a planning choice, not a universal framing requirement.
- Add twice the margin to each design dimension: 25.4 + 10 and 17.78 + 10. The stitch count remains 140 × 98.
- Mark the grain and verify usable fabric dimensions before cutting. Keep the design centered within the usable rectangle, excluding damaged or unsuitable edges.
Check before committing
Allow for the fabric’s own preparation and shrinkage separately. Confirm requirements with the intended mounting method before trimming excess fabric.
Method and sources
These are original planning examples using the linked tools’ methods. Replace measured inputs with your own samples; a calculator cannot validate the construction. Keep the resulting measurements, choices and remaining checks with the project.
Cross-stitch fabric planner
Turn chart stitches and fabric count into finished and cutting dimensions.
Before you use this tool
Count chart squares, not centimetres. Fabric threads crossed per stitch means over-one or over-two; it is separate from the number of floss strands.
The design size excludes finishing margins; the cut size includes your chosen margin on all four sides.
Method and limits
Formula and assumptions
Design size equals chart stitches divided by effective stitches per unit. Choose one fabric thread per stitch for over-one or two for over-two; the selected or custom margin is added on every side.
Worked example
Example: 140 × 98 stitches on fabric with 55 threads/10 cm produces a 25.5 × 17.8 cm design; a 5 cm margin needs a 35.5 × 27.8 cm fabric cut.
Limits and rounding
Results are planning estimates from the values entered. Displayed decimals are rounded for craft use; whole materials and repeats round up where the method says so. Confirm gauge, material behavior, construction, and finished measurements before committing supplies.