NO MYSTERY. JUST MEASUREMENTS.
The maths behind
the making.
A fabric plan has two rectangles: the area occupied by the design, and the cloth surrounding it. Here is exactly how we calculate both.
What “count” means here
DMC defines Aida count as the number of stitches you can make in one inch. Our planner assumes one full cross stitch covers one Aida square. For example, a row of 14 stitches on 14-count Aida is one inch long.
This calculation is for Aida. A thread count on linen or another evenweave, combined with stitching over multiple threads, has different meaning. Do not enter that fabric label directly into this tool.
Source: DMC — Aida fabric ↗. Checked 27 October 2026.
1. Calculate the stitched design
Use the same division for the height. These dimensions describe the outside boundary of the chart’s stitch grid, including any unstitched squares within the chart. They do not describe the cut fabric yet.
2. Add a margin on every edge
Repeat for height. The margin is symmetrical: one on the left and one on the right, one at the top and one at the bottom. A 2-inch margin adds 4 inches to each overall dimension. The default is an example that you can change; your handling and finishing method determine the right allowance.
3. Convert units without rounding early
We calculate in inches, convert a centimetre margin to inches when needed, and keep the numeric precision until display. One inch is exactly 2.54 centimetres or 25.4 millimetres. Results show up to two decimal places in inches and centimetres, or one in millimetres. The print sheet also gives four decimal places.
Changing the result display does not change the underlying plan. Changing the margin unit converts the margin value to preserve its physical length; you can then edit that value.
Conversion reference: NIST — Guide to the SI, conversion factors ↗.
A worked example
For a chart 100 stitches wide and 150 stitches high, using 14-count Aida and 2 inches of blank cloth on each edge:
| Measurement | Calculation | Result in inches |
|---|---|---|
| Design width | 100 ÷ 14 | 7.142857… |
| Design height | 150 ÷ 14 | 10.714286… |
| Fabric width | (100 ÷ 14) + (2 × 2) | 11.142857… |
| Fabric height | (150 ÷ 14) + (2 × 2) | 14.714286… |
In centimetres, that fabric rectangle is approximately 28.3029 × 37.3743. Select a piece at least as large as the calculated dimensions. Rounded screen values are a convenient summary, so round your cut up when needed.
What the result assumes
- The stitch grid is square and the nominal Aida count is accurate in both directions.
- The entered width and height cover the whole chart, in the orientation you want.
- The same blank margin is used on every edge. The margin is a physical length, independent of fabric count.
- No additional allowance is added for shrinkage, fraying, seams, mounting or a particular finish.
- The preview shows proportions. Its visible grid is illustrative, and the drawing is not a full-size template or stitch chart.
The planner accepts whole stitch dimensions from 1 to 100,000, a whole Aida count from 1 to 100, and a margin from 0 to 1,000 inches or centimetres. These are input limits, not a statement that every fabric count or project size is readily available.
Check the real cloth
Before cutting, confirm the chart dimensions, the fabric label and the usable piece of cloth. A nominal count does not predict changes caused by washing, stretching or finishing. Use the care instructions supplied with your actual fabric and threads, and check the allowance required by your chosen finish.