Fabric size question

[Arianwen]

hey guys - I'm not finished with my big project yet but I'm getting set up for my next one which will HAVE to be for my nan. She gave me a pattern she's had for years for my birthday - Poppy spray by Anchor. She had shown me and asked me if I would do it for her previously, then gotten confused and thought I wanted it for myself. And she has been asking me incessantly whether I have started it Its not really my style but I'll do it anyway.

I just have a colour key and a pattern, no threads or fabric or dimensions.

I've looked at the pattern and I think its roughly 200 stitches wide and 150 tall (there are 19 full 10x10 blocks left to right and 140 full blocks top to bottom and a couple left over on each edge so that stitch count is a bit generous)

I haven't decided what stitch count I'm going to be doing it on yet but the stitches are quite densely packed so I don't want to do it on too high a count. What would you lovely ladies recommend and how much fabric do I need to buy?

I was thinking I might do it on a nice hand dyed even weave but when I suggested it a few months ago my nan looked horrified and I think she wants it on something 'traditional' perhaps a cream or antique white. again opinions welcome!

I have a few colours here but I'm not sure of the count or size so before I make a decision on whether to buy something, I need to work that out

[MaggieM1750]

My "go to" size seems to be 16 ct for aida
And oddly enough.. 22 or 28 ct for evenweave

With an image size roughly 200 x 150
on 16 ct: 12.5 x 9.5 (or 32 ct evenweave stitching over 2)
on 14 ct: 14.5 x 11 (or 28 ct evenweave stitching over 2)

on 22 ct: 9.25 x 7 (when stitching over 1)
on 28 ct: 7.25 x 5.5 (when stitching over 1)


Add 6-8 inches to those dimensions for framing/ finishing

[Reta]

My "go to" size seems to be 16 ct for aida
And oddly enough.. 22 or 28 ct for evenweave

With an image size roughly 200 x 150
on 16 ct: 12.5 x 9.5 (or 32 ct evenweave stitching over 2)
on 14 ct: 14.5 x 11 (or 28 ct evenweave stitching over 2)

on 22 ct: 9.25 x 7 (when stitching over 1)
on 28 ct: 7.25 x 5.5 (when stitching over 1)


Add 6-8 inches to those dimensions for framing/ finishing

What more is there to say Maggie

[MaggieM1750]

ahh Reta.. did I get you again?
We must have similar internal clocks telling us its time to check the forum

[Reta]

You put it so much better than I could

[Arianwen]

ok that makes sense thanks maggie (and reta!)

So I'm looking at roughly a piece of aida 20in x 18 (or 20x20) to be safe and have plenty for framing and finishing?

I'm thinking an antique white or ivory/cream aida I think. I don't want to go as stark as white, but I want the picture to really stand out, lots of reds and greens I believe - I've yet to buy my thread as I don't have the right colours in my meagre stash yet

[Lessa54]

I really like antique white as a softer option than a pure white. You coud also consider something like an oatmeal. Sew and So have Zweigart 14 ct in the Rustico range which is an oatmeal colour and the vintage range (though the vintage might be a bit too "out there" for your nan)

[Rose]

When I did the poppy design I used a very soft mint green even with all of the greens in the pattern it cam out quite well. It is in my gallery if you would like to look at it. (page 3 of the gallery)

[Arianwen]

Thank you everyone. Rose that looks really lovely - I've just been to have a look.

I've got a few fabrics in my stash in a cream/antique white and a sky blue so will check what count they are and how big, and go from there before I buy anything

I need to get threads sorted too - I Have a couple of sites lined up for that

I'm thinking I might do that dragon sampler from the kreinik website for a friend who is a dragon fiend and moving house so this might have to take a bit of a back seat.