changing aida count size

[*barb*]

I am struggling to see anything smaller than 14 count for large projects. For small things that are fairly simply I can use 16 count, but 18 count is definately out!

I have the European bistro kit I have put off starting because it is on 16 count and have now been able to purchase the fabric in a 14 count.

Do you think it makes much difference to the overall look. I did the seashells treasures on 14 count, but it came with 18 count. I used three starnds instead of two and am thinking of doing this with european bistro.

BUT, if their is a combined colour, then what do i do? Do i use one shade of the darker colour and two of the lighter colour or vise versa


or do I just stick to two strands, is it necessary to go for three strands? I have to also consider I may run out of thread if i do three strands so that is what is worrying me a bit. Using two strands on 16 count wont cause me to run out of thread as I find the dimensions kits always have so much thread leftover and i am always careful to be thread conservative with kits.

European bistro is on dove grey aida.

what to do advice welcome

ah, I may just have to stop buying kits with a smaller size fabric count if it becomes a problem.

[mags]

I only use 14 count and 2 strands, I would find 3 strands a bit like hard work (hand troubles). It always looks fine to me but then I'm not a 'tight' stitcher and I'm not too picky about coverage.

[ohstitcher]

I am the odd ball out here I love working with smaller count fabric. I am working on some 25 count now, I use a magnifyer that you might consider trying there are several available some that hang around your neck, some that clamp onto the lamp, or if you are like me and wear glasses I found some that clip onto my glasses that has helped alot because with out them it is really hard to stitch. I also feel that with smaller count fabric you see the detail a little better IMHO. Good luck.

[freelady]

I mostly use 14 ct and two strands. Although close up it might not look like perfect coverage, from the normal viewing distance it's fine.
I'm a perfectionist and I'm happy with my finished work.

[Lessa54]

I've never had a problem using 2 strands on 14 ct. However it depends on what you're happy with. Maybe try out stitching with 2 strands on a small piece of 14ct and see what you think.

[Play Outside]

I'm doing Fall Lake on 14 count, and I'm using 3 strands for solids and 4 strands (2 of each) for blends. It's working fine for me - I'm fussy about coverage, so I don't like doing 2 strands on 14 count. Experiment and see what works for you!

[Granny]

As already mentioned the finished product will be seen from a distance. Keep that in mind, even when you test. I am happy with 2 strands on 14, I do not buy or even look at kits partially because I plan to stick to 14 Aida. I have tried evenweave and finer Aidas but I found they were not for me.

[Rose]

I always us 2 strands on 14ct and 14ct is my favorite size so it you look in the gallery you will be sure to see what it looks like the poppies are on 14ct on a mint green aida and I think the coverage is great.

[Wot No Stitch]

Another question here then related to this.
If I use 14 instead of 18 count, how much larger will the finished design size be - on 18 count it is 6" square?
Also if I stick to two threads, will I still have sufficient thread in the kit?

[Rose]

Well according to my calculations 18ct 6X6 would work out to 108X108 stitches if that is correct then to put this design on to 14ct fabric would increase the size to 7 11/16X7 11/16 so you are looking at almost 2 inches bigger. Depending on how much extra thread is supplied you may have enough to stitch the design. I hope my math is correct and that this is of some help.

[Squirrel]

Barb, I have only ever used 2 threads on a 14 cnt and it has always looked ok. I prefer working on 16 cnt as it seems to me anyway that it is much neater but I have worked on 18 cnt a time or two. If it is something small I need in a hurry I will work on 14cnt as it is quicker to work with.

Very cool -like 10c outside at 9.15am. and wet as. Just lovely to sit and stitch which I am off to do. Hope your heat wave ends soon and please just send it south not east.

Squirrel

[*barb*]

Thanks, I think because it is a kit and It will end up a couple of inches bigger on 14 count, I may stick to two strands.

Granny, I am starting to feel the same way about kits. I am ending up with alot of 16 and 18 count fabric that i wont probably use unless I do really small simple things. But i have got some huge pieces so may end up selling them I think.

I have vision problems from my epilepsy drugs so no magnifier of glasses will help.

Rose, i am glad you mentioned the green fabric, I am doing 2 strands on seafoam aida 14 count, a kit, and you know, it looks fine so i amnot sure what i was thinking really.

Squirrel, my email is still stuffed, actually the whole computer died so am using the laptop and thats a bit sickly too. I had a choice of getting 3 pictures framed or getting laptop fixed, i chose the picture framer.

43 celcius today. I am melting and running up a masive electricity bill just so i can sit and sew! I dont mind it that much as it is very dry. The cat is not enjoying it cause she has a fur coat on, although half of it is missing so really she shouldn''t be complaining , it was shaved off by the vet for her operation.

[Sarah Gixxer]

I do quite a lot of projects on 14 count and have always used 2 strands (except for one or two exceptions) and I find it gives good enough coverage, unless you're doing something with a lot of black in it and stitching on white fabric or vice versa. I'm sure that stitching your design on 14 count instead of 18 will be fine as long as you allow a bigger piece. Maybe check it first and see if it does have any blended colours - if not using 3 strands wouldn't be a problem if you wanted to make sure the coverage was even better.

[countrygal]

Barb, just a heads up with the bistro kit---it uses anywhere from 2 to 5 (maybe 6??) strands, depending on color and whethere it is full or half cross. And there are a number of blended colors in the kit (1+1 or 2+1).

I've put bistro on hold for a while, as I didn't have much time for stitching for quite awhile. Then I had the urge to start a new project, but maybe I'll pull out the bistro some time this spring.

[Squirrel]

Great idea to go with the framer rather than fix a dying computer Barb.

Know what you mean about stitching, even with the air con - expensive brutes aren't they. Still we gotta be cool enough to stitch just to get through the day.

Cats and their fur coats are a problem. I sometimes dampen an old tea towel and put it on Madam. She does shake it off fairly soon but at least it does cool her a bit. Silly cat won't come in a lie where she can get the breeze from the air con.

I see it is cooling down over there and we are warming up after a wintry blast which put snow on the ski fields !!!!!
Squirrel

[andrea42]

I also use smaller count if I can and use magnifyers. Currently though most of my projects are on 18ct and i do 2x1. I am doing a project for my son on 14 ct on black fabric and only using 2 strands not sure how it will look as sometimes i think i use lots of tension. So far it is alright and im not going for a prize and he is 12 hes just happy that im making him something he wants the rest doesnt matter to him. As i get further along I can let you know how it goes.

[*barb*]

Barb, just a heads up with the bistro kit---it uses anywhere from 2 to 5 (maybe 6??) strands, depending on color and whethere it is full or half cross. And there are a number of blended colors in the kit (1+1 or 2+1).

I've put bistro on hold for a while, as I didn't have much time for stitching for quite awhile. Then I had the urge to start a new project, but maybe I'll pull out the bistro some time this spring.

Thanks so much for that. I am going to stick to their strand use and use 14 count fabric. I dont think I will run out of thread, going to 14 count from 16 count will only make it a few inches bigger at the most.