How much fabric do I need for a cross-stitch?
How much Aida to cut for a cross-stitch pattern: the finished size plus 3 inches on every side — with a diagram and examples for common pattern sizes.
By The Hoop & Paw team · Published · 2 min read
Cut your fabric to the finished size of the design plus 3 inches on every side. The margin gives you room to hold the fabric in a hoop while you stitch, and to lace or tape it into a frame at the end.
Worked examples on 14-count Aida
| Pattern | Finished size | Cut fabric to |
|---|---|---|
| 50 × 50 stitches | 3.6 × 3.6 in | 9.6 × 9.6 in |
| 80 × 100 stitches | 5.7 × 7.1 in | 11.7 × 13.1 in |
| 100 × 100 stitches | 7.1 × 7.1 in | 13.1 × 13.1 in |
| 120 × 150 stitches | 8.6 × 10.7 in | 14.6 × 16.7 in |
A standard fat quarter of Aida (about 18 × 21 inches) covers all of these.
When to use more or less
- Ornaments and small hoops: 2 inches each side is plenty.
- Framing with a wide mat: 3–4 inches, so the fabric reaches behind the mat.
- Stitching in a large hoop or on scroll frames: check that the margin is wider than the hoop edge so the hoop never clamps your stitches.
Before you start
Overcast or tape the raw edges so they don't fray, and find the center by folding the fabric in half both ways — most charts mark the center with arrows, and starting there keeps the design centered.
The size calculator works out the cut size for every fabric count.