14 count??? your ideas needed please

[agi]

I want to finish a needlecase I stitched last year. You can see it in the UFO Sal thread. It is done on 14 count Aida. Supposedly.
I want to finish it with the Mabel-method , so I backstitched a line around it, and started the backstitching on another piece of Aida, 14 count, but a different one because I have no more left of that piece I was using for the needlecase.
The problem is, I stitched 43 stitches, and the lines are of a different length. I take another piece of Aida, 14 count, again a different length. I take a piece of 28 count linen, again a different length.

One is longer :


The other is longer, too:

And the linen is shorter a bit:


Now what do you suggest I do?

I had one idea, I put the white aida that was the less longer into a pot of fruit tea, to colour it and hopefully to shrink it just a tiny little bit - then it could be OK. Otherwise I don't know how to proceed. I am waiting for it to soak for a few hours now.

Another possibility: is it OK if I have less number of stitches but the same length? Then I will have to play with the whipstitch but perhaps it is doable...


Any ideas welcome

[Mabel Figworthy]

Hi Agi, I'm going to be a bad teacher and start off with a "don't" -- don't use a different number of stitches, even if the line is the same length. The reason why the whipstitch finish work is because you pick up one backstitch on each side with every whipstitch. I suppose you could make it work by linking one backstitch on one side with two on the other, but it's unlikely to look very neat.

Now for the more positive approach ! Have you tried measuring an inch of your needlecase fabric and counting the stitches? It may be (it looks like it in the picture) that the fabric is actually 16ct, in which case you could use a piece of that to back it (or if you don't have any, I could send you some). So I think that's probabnly the first thing to check -- if it isn't, we'll start thinking of more ingenious solutions...

[agi]

Yes, I have tried that, it was my first step, and it's 14 count all right.

I have some 16 count fabric, let me go and stitch a line, just in case...

[Mabel Figworthy]

Perhaps the other bit of 14ct was actually 11ct?

[agi]

I don't think so, I have one piece of 11 count and it is different. They are just different 14 counts

But I have solved it! Tea dying and shrinking has worked, so the piece which was white and now is a light marble-brownish colur is good in size now! I am so happy Off to work

[Busy_B]

Glad you found a way to solve the problem!

[coffee_freak]

i actually have all my fabric labeled, even if scraps..and just about every piece of 14ct looks different and ive had the same issue of not matching..but when i whipstitched it..it worked out ok..

glad u have it sorted!

[agi]

Well, I can recommend this - I am sure it doesn't have to be tea, simply hot water would probably do, too. It shrinked the aida just that little bit that it needed. Actually, it became a very little smaller than the other one, barely noticable, but it turned out good because it was the inside, so it was easier to fold it. Pictures in the SAL section in a few minutes.

[maggs]

Glad you solved your problem.

[~threadbear~]

Glad you got it sorted Agi, it would have been upsetting to not be able to make a good match, it's so lovely.

I'm off to the SAL thread to have a look now.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Glad it worked out so well, Agi! *scuttles off to SAL section to see updates*

[Ekidna]

Goodness, what a nuisance! I have to say I was completely stumped by your question s I've never haad this problem as yet. Just goes to show how brilliant this forum is to be part of, that is one valuable piece of treasure to keep in my stitching chest for future reference. I'm so happy that you were able to finish!