Figuring out the True count of Linen blend

[callygirl]

Although I am new to the forum I am not new to cross stitching. Normally I spend a good deal of money getting the right fabric and all my supplies. I completed a cross stitch project on 28 count linen that I did over one thread (because the fabric I bought was too small to do over 2 threads). The project, a photograph of my Bonus Son and his then fiancée, turned out wonderfully, but I would have preferred it to have been a little larger.

My new undertaking is The Last Supper (view here - http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mQ ... directlink). A beautiful picture I was given permission to use from the artist to create this cross stitch heirloom for my family. I have the pattern, which is 308,000 stitches and had started stitching only to find out that doing it over 2 threads (which is what I asked for from the person who created the pattern) on linen that the fabric I had was way too small. I was told the chart was done to 22 ct specs and the finished size would be 31-3/4w x 20-1/4h inches.

So, I started over and bought some new "muslin" a polyblend, but when I do my 1" square over two threads it is 20w x 14h inches as a test. I always thought that it needed to be a perfect square for the pattern to come out right. I can't do it over one thread as when I attempted I couldn't even seen the holes in the fabric. When I measure the holes width and height they are 40 ct in each direction.

So, when doing a fabric calculator, do I want to do the actual count of the fabric (40 in this instance) over 2 threads to get a 20 ct size of the fabric to use? Does this make sense to anyone? B)

Thanks in advance for any advice or help.

CallyGirl

[karen4bells]

Do you know what the stitch count for each direction is? If you are stitching on 36 count linen or evenweave, and stitching over two, then that would be the same as stitching on 18 count if that makes sense? So if doing on 40 count linen over 2, that is 20 count per inch, 44 over 2 would be 22 count per inch. Hope that helps

[callygirl]

Yes the count in each direction would be 40w x 28h.

I have been doing some more investigation and found that is called unevenweave. So trying to find a place that carries evenweave linen type material that doesn't cost $60 - $70 a yard. I need a full yard.

[Wandatoo]

Not sure about the fabric but something about the stitch count seems wrong. Your charted design is only 40 stitches wide by 28 stitches high?

[callygirl]

No the 40w x 28h is a one inch square on the fabric. I was trying to determine the size of fabric I need for this big project (700w x 448h). Because the one inch square isn't a perfect square (should be 40w x 40h to be true 40 ct) it is an uneven weave of fabric. It was only $2.50 for the yard and that is what I get for cheaping it out!

So, looking for evenweaves that will be 40 ct or higher that don't cost an arm and a leg. Also, the fabric needs to be 52w x 36h at least for 32 count. Thus the reason I would prefer a smaller count fabric.

[Nachstenliebe]

Unevenweave... never heard of that before.. but I always wondered if evenweave had a counterpart It would make me nervouse to try to stich something on a fabric that wasn't going to be even... I would imagine in the long run it might work out well for smaller designs. If you're doing it over two to make the stiches relative to 20 ct I wonder if that would be ok. I would also think it's safer use on portrait type stitching than a design without a background.. if any of this makes sense...
Faith

[Nachstenliebe]

I normally also don't grid my fabric, but I would do it in this case. The chance of making errors seems higher if each 10x10 stitching space isn't a perfect square. And as for sizing. I'd get the biggest I could get.. even though it's uneven and whatnot I wouldn't think it would distort the shape of the full design... You did say that when you measured it was each still 40 per inch right?
Faith

[karen4bells]

No the 40w x 28h is a one inch square on the fabric. I was trying to determine the size of fabric I need for this big project (700w x 448h). Because the one inch square isn't a perfect square (should be 40w x 40h to be true 40 ct) it is an uneven weave of fabric. It was only $2.50 for the yard and that is what I get for cheaping it out!

So, looking for evenweaves that will be 40 ct or higher that don't cost an arm and a leg. Also, the fabric needs to be 52w x 36h at least for 32 count. Thus the reason I would prefer a smaller count fabric.

That is definitely a strange fabric that you have. If you are going to buy 40 count, your stitched area will be 35 by 22 and I'd add at least 6 inches to each measurement, so you'd need 41 by 28 of 40 count. For 32 count evenweave/linen your stitched area will be 44 by 28 so you would need 50 by 34 minimum. Hope you can find what you are after

[SusanF]

Another option might be to use 25 count lugana and stitch over 1 - this is how many people stitch the large HAED projects. This would give you a stitching area of 28 inches by 18, I think (plus you'd have to add another 6 inches each for the edges).

[callygirl]

I have decided that if I am going to devote a lot of my time to this project that I should do it right. On a quest now for the right count of fabric.

My husband would probably prefer it smaller, but who says smaller is better?

I have found a natural Irish linen 32 ct that would be 44" X 28" finished over 2 threads. $20 for the 36" x 60" piece for $20, not bad. Just not sure I like the fabric color. Would prefer something more in the ivory range.

Don't have a lot of money to spend right now so trying to keep the cost down.

[karen4bells]

I have decided that if I am going to devote a lot of my time to this project that I should do it right. On a quest now for the right count of fabric.

My husband would probably prefer it smaller, but who says smaller is better?

I have found a natural Irish linen 32 ct that would be 44" X 28" finished over 2 threads. $20 for the 36" x 60" piece for $20, not bad. Just not sure I like the fabric color. Would prefer something more in the ivory range.

Don't have a lot of money to spend right now so trying to keep the cost down.

That's a pretty good price on linen in that size and it should be more than large enough!

[callygirl]

After all this I went to JoAnn's Fabric and ended up buying 1-1/2 yards of 18 count Aida. Now to do a Tea Dye because I don't want white cloth!

Happy Stitching. I will start another post once I have the first page done.

[karen4bells]

Sounds like you found a really great alternative! That's super and you are so fortunate that your local Joann's had it on the bolt like that. Hope you have great success doing the tea dye!

[Nachstenliebe]

I have decided that if I am going to devote a lot of my time to this project that I should do it right. On a quest now for the right count of fabric.

My husband would probably prefer it smaller, but who says smaller is better?

I have found a natural Irish linen 32 ct that would be 44" X 28" finished over 2 threads. $20 for the 36" x 60" piece for $20, not bad. Just not sure I like the fabric color. Would prefer something more in the ivory range.

Don't have a lot of money to spend right now so trying to keep the cost down.

I agree! The bigger the better for this design! My friends had a portrait of it in there dining room and it took up the whole wall.. Her mother used to say so that even if her table was empty at home it never appeared empty...
Faith