Help please. How much material do I need?

[felicity53]

Hello. I've nearly finished my current project, unusual for me! And now want to shop for my next. Yippee! I have a pattern for a tapestry but want to work it with cross stitch on 25 count Lugana. The pattern is 200 stitches by 200 stitches. I need help in working out how much fabric I need to get. Advise please on how to work this out. Thanks in advance.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Hi felicity - congrats on the finish, and the excitement of starting a new project!

25ct Lugana has 25 stitches to the inch, so your 200x200 project will work out to 8" square for the stitching alone. Depending on what you intend to do with it (i.e. framing it) it is generally thought a good idea to have an extra 3" all around. In your case that means cutting your fabric to 3+8+3=14" square.
(If your finishing method doesn't take a lot of spare fabric, you may be able to get away with 2" all around, so 12" square)

[Mabel Figworthy]

WAIT!!!!!!

I just realised I calculated based on stitching over one. If your cross stitches are going to be over two, of course you'll need rather more fabric

[felicity53]

Mable. Thank you so much. Doing over two so will now know how much fabric to get. Thank you so much.

I confess to not having visited the forum for some time (ages) but have just spend some very enjoyable time catching up on everyone's SALs.
And knew I could rely on you all to help me.

Not sure if anyone would remember me? I posted on here for support when trying to finish Lanate BALLET. It had been a wedding present from my lovely husband and with all of your support completed it in time for out 21st anniversary!!

Have done a few smaller projects sine....and even finished some!

Off to shop now. Thanks again.

[rcperryls]

I find this Cross Stitch Calculator very helpful when figuring out the amount of fabric a project needs. There are similar apps for phones and tablets.

Glad to see you are back and hope you will stay a while and update us on what you are working one.

Carole

[Allyn]

I remember you. Welcome back.

Divide the stitches by the fabric count to get the design dimensions. In your case, you're doing 25 count over two so that is essentially 12.5 count (25 count ÷ over2 = 12.5 count). So for your project, it would be 200 stiches per side ÷ 12.5 count = 16 inches

The design will be 16-inches square. Using Mabel's calculation of 3 inches all around (I do 6 inches all around, but I'm a freak) that would be 16 + (3 + 3) = 22 inches (16 inches for the design and 3 inches on each of two sides)

So you'd need a piece of fabric at least 22-inches square.

[poppy]

Welcome back, Felicity! I do remember you too.
Well done for your nearly finished project. Will you be able to post a photo?

Carole, I bookmarked the Cross Stitch calculator. Thank you, it will be very useful.

[Garnet]

Thank you ever so much for the link Carole.

I have bookmarked it for the future.

[felicity53]

Thank you all for your help. Fabric bought, needle threaded ... and we're off!