Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator
The fabric is cut with a margin all round the design. At 8 cm per side, an 18 × 25 cm design needs 34 × 41 cm. That margin is what wraps to the back when the piece is framed, so trimming it to save fabric leaves nothing to stretch over the board.
Your numbers
Cut width
34cm
Cut length
41cm
Formula
Cut width = Design width + 2 × Overhang per side, Cut length = Design height + 2 × Overhang per side
Allow 7.5 cm (3 in) per side for framing and never less than 5 cm. Working in a hoop needs more again, since the fabric has to clear the hoop itself. Aida frays quickly from a cut edge — zigzag or tape it as soon as you cut.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Design width (cm)The stitched design across. | 18 | 1 and up |
| Design height (cm)The stitched design down. | 25 | 1 and up |
| Overhang per side (cm)Extra beyond each edge, absorbing shift while quilting. | 8 | 0 and up |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Design width (cm) changes and everything else stays put.
| Design width (cm) | Cut width (cm) | Cut length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 25 | 41 |
| 13.5 | 29.5 | 41 |
| 18 | 34 | 41 |
| 27 | 43 | 41 |
| 36 | 52 | 41 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Cut width (cm)The width to cut — finished size plus allowance. | 34 |
| Cut length (cm)The length to cut, finished length plus allowance. | 41 |
Common mistakes
Allow 7.5 cm (3 in) per side for framing and never less than 5 cm. Working in a hoop needs more again, since the fabric has to clear the hoop itself. Aida frays quickly from a cut edge — zigzag or tape it as soon as you cut.
Glossary
- Design width
- The stitched design across.
- Design height
- The stitched design down.
- Overhang per side
- Extra beyond each edge, absorbing shift while quilting.
- Cut width
- The width to cut — finished size plus allowance.
- Cut length
- The length to cut, finished length plus allowance.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator calculated?
Cut width = Design width + 2 × Overhang per side, Cut length = Design height + 2 × Overhang per side — The fabric is cut with a margin all round the design. At 8 cm per side, an 18 × 25 cm design needs 34 × 41 cm. That margin is what wraps to the back when the piece is framed, so trimming it to save fabric leaves nothing to stretch over the board.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Design width 18cm, Design height 25cm, Overhang per side 8cm, the answer is Cut width 34cm.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Design width, Design height, Overhang per side. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Design width (cm) moves the answer to Design width (cm) 9 → Cut width (cm) 25 and Design width (cm) 36 → Cut width (cm) 52. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
Allow 7.5 cm (3 in) per side for framing and never less than 5 cm. Working in a hoop needs more again, since the fabric has to clear the hoop itself. Aida frays quickly from a cut edge — zigzag or tape it as soon as you cut.
Related calculators
Materials differ in density and absorption. If your label states a figure, use it — the defaults here are only common values.