Methods & worked examples
Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator — Methods & worked examples
How it works
Fabric count is the number of threads or squares per inch. Stitches per inch = count ÷ threads per cross. Thus 14ct over 1 and 28ct over 2 give the same design size. Design size in cm = stitches × threads per cross ÷ count × 2.54. Cut size = design size + 2 × margin per side.
Worked examples
A 140 × 196 stitch design on 14ct fabric over 1 measures 25.4 × 35.56 cm. With 5 cm on every side, cut at least 35.4 × 45.56 cm. The 5 cm margin is an example, not a universal standard. On a 21 × 29.7 cm piece with no margins, 14ct over 1 fits at most 115 × 163 whole stitches.
Scope & limitations
Maximum stitches = floor(max(0, fabric size − 2 × margin) × count ÷ (2.54 × threads per cross)). Round down, never up: 115.7 means 115 complete stitches. Design fit and fit with margins are separate checks, using unrounded values. Swap width and height to test rotation. Allow separately for framing, finishing, fabric irregularity and shrinkage.
Method sources
Our original explanations and calculators use the methods above. This site is not affiliated with the cited brands or organizations.