Understand the fabric footprint

Separate the stitched area from the margin you choose.

Fabric footprint is arithmetic, not a cutting instruction. The tool asks for effective stitches per inch. DMC describes Aida count as the number of stitches per inch. For other fabrics or stitch arrangements, enter the effective rate that applies to your own project.

Divide cells by stitch density

A chart 70 cells wide at 14 stitches per inch has a stitched width of 5 inches. A chart 98 cells high at the same density is 7 inches high. The outline of the filled motif may be smaller, but this calculation uses the full rectangular grid, including empty cells.

Add a margin on both sides

If you enter a 2-inch margin per side, the 5-by-7-inch stitched rectangle becomes a 9-by-11-inch rectangle including margins. The same amount is added twice in each direction. This is your chosen allowance, not a recommendation for a hoop, frame or finishing method.

Watch the units

The margin input is always in inches. The result selector changes only the displayed output between inches and centimetres, using 2.54 centimetres per inch. Changing output units does not reinterpret your margin entry.

Check the actual fabric and finishing requirements before cutting. This tool does not estimate floss length, skeins, strand count or shrinkage. See DMC's Aida description for the count terminology.

Try the free chart maker with the original flower example.